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Tougher data laws needed say MPs Tougher data laws needed, say MPs
(about 4 hours later)
Reckless or repeated breaches of data security should become a criminal offence, a committee of MPs has said.Reckless or repeated breaches of data security should become a criminal offence, a committee of MPs has said.
At the moment government departments cannot be held criminally responsible for data protection breaches. Currently, government departments cannot be held criminally responsible for data protection breaches.
But in a report on the "truly shocking" loss of 25m people's personal details by HM Revenue and Customs, the Commons justice committee demands tougher laws.But in a report on the "truly shocking" loss of 25m people's personal details by HM Revenue and Customs, the Commons justice committee demands tougher laws.
The MPs said there was a "widespread problem" and "systemic failings" in the government's handling of personal data.The MPs said there was a "widespread problem" and "systemic failings" in the government's handling of personal data.
Committee chairman Alan Beith said: "The scale of the data loss by government bodies and contractors is truly shocking but the evidence we have had points to further hidden problems. The committee's Liberal Democrat chairman Alan Beith said: "The scale of the data loss by government bodies and contractors is truly shocking but the evidence we have had points to further hidden problems.
"It is frankly incredible, for example, that the measures HMRC has put in place were not already standard procedure.""It is frankly incredible, for example, that the measures HMRC has put in place were not already standard procedure."
Families warnedFamilies warned
The report - The Protection of Private Data - follows the loss of the Child Benefit data on two discs sent unencrypted by HMRC in the North East to the National Audit Office in London. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he said Information Commissioner Richard Thomas, who gave evidence to the select committee, was warning of more personal data loss cases "in the pipeline".
"(Whitehall) departments are coming to him on almost a confessional basis, quite rightly, to report that they too have got problems."
Mr Beith added: "It's a very serious situation and it impairs the proper use of data which is often very important both to individuals and in areas like child protection and dealing with criminal behaviour."
But proper data protection was still not routine, he warned, despite its "potentially immense value" among criminals.
The report follows the loss of the Child Benefit data on two discs sent unencrypted by HMRC in the North East to the National Audit Office in London.
Further data losses have emerged as a result of investigations into how Whitehall handles people's details.Further data losses have emerged as a result of investigations into how Whitehall handles people's details.
For its short inquiry the committee took evidence from Information Commissioner Richard Thomas on the subject. ID cards
He left the committee "extremely concerned" that there were more cases of personal data loss to come to light. As well as the new criminal laws, the committee wants stronger enforcement powers and better resources for the information commissioner.
As well as the new criminal laws, the committee also want stronger enforcement powers for the information commissioner. It also called for a legal obligation to report significant data losses to those affected and the commissioner.
They also want "proper resources" for the commissioner's office. Members said the need for a "proper approach" to data handling is even more important given the proposed database of every child in the UK with their details available to "many thousands or people" - and the proposed identity card scheme.
They say the need for a "proper approach" to data handling is even more important given the proposed database of every child in the UK with their details available to "many thousands or people" - and the proposed identity card scheme.
The MPs also say moves to allow other EU member states access to data held in the UK on UK citizens means "the importance of restricting the amount of data held, as well as proper policing of who had access to it takes on even greater importance".The MPs also say moves to allow other EU member states access to data held in the UK on UK citizens means "the importance of restricting the amount of data held, as well as proper policing of who had access to it takes on even greater importance".
The prime minister and chancellor apologised at the time and an inquiry is under way, alongside a police investigation. The prime minister and chancellor apologised over the data loss row last month and an inquiry is under way, alongside a police investigation.
Millions of families were told to be on the alert for fraudulent use of their details, which include children's names, addresses, dates of birth and National Insurance and bank details.Millions of families were told to be on the alert for fraudulent use of their details, which include children's names, addresses, dates of birth and National Insurance and bank details.