Ian sez, "The Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust has this morning published our comprehensive new report on the UK's Database State, finding that 25% of major public sector databases are illegal under human rights and data protection law. Only 15% of databases are proportionate and necessary. Calls for databases such as National Identity Register and DNA database to be scrapped."
* A quarter of all major public sector databases are fundamentally flawed and almost certainly illegal. These should be scrapped or redesigned immediately;
* The database state is victimising minority groups and vulnerable people, from single mothers to young black men and schoolchildren;
* Children are amongst the 'most at risk' from Britain's Database State, with three of the largest databases set up to support and protect children failing to achieve their aims;
* Data sharing is a barrier to socially responsible activities. It is deterring teenagers from accessing health advice and undermining goodwill towards law enforcement;
* Only 15% of major public sector databases are effective, proportionate and necessary;
* We spend £16 billion a year on public sector IT and a further £105bn spending is planned for the next five years – but only 30% of public-sector IT projects succeed.
(Thanks, Ian!)
