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Newsletter No. 144
As we warned in Newsletter 141, the Department of Health is trying to roll out Summary Care Records to millions of patients before the general election. Those who have received mail shots now have less than 12 weeks to act, if they want to preserve their medical confidentiality.
The British Medical Association and GPs’ leaders are deeply concerned and have told the government to stop letters being sent out to patients across England until they include an opt out form. Patients are being misinformed – not least about who will have access to their records [1] – and independent evaluators have noted that in the pilot areas 7 out of 10 patients weren’t even aware that a Summary Care Record had been created for them.
The Department is deliberately trying to make opt out difficult. Not only isn’t the opt out form included in the information pack, you are supposed to phone a call centre for one, trawl the NHS website for a download (no direct link is given) or ask your doctor (who may have no forms, or know little about the process).
NO2ID and our colleagues at the NHS Confidentiality Campaign [2] are trying to make exercising your right to opt out simple and straightforward – and we need you to help SPREAD THE WORD.
Please tell everyone you know and, even if you’ve opted out already [3], download and print off copies of our updated leaflet which explains what is going on and provides an opt out letter for people to use:
http://www.no2id.net/downloads/SCR_optout_sheet.pdf
And please do become a ‘fan’ of our new page on Facebook (the ‘Info’ section contains links to three other ways you can opt out) and pass it on:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Protect-Your-Medical-Confidentiality-ACT-NOW/330345503401
–
Notes:
[1] The leaflet ‘Changes to your health records’ states that “anyone who has access to your records… must be directly involved in caring for you”. THIS IS UNTRUE: the Department’s own documents show that government officials and many others will have access “in the public interest”, “by statute” (remember Clause 152!) or by court order.
[2] The NHS Confidentiality Campaign website is at http://www.nhsconfidentiality.org
[3] You do not need to opt out again. The NHS Confidentiality Campaign’s and our opt out letter use the same mechanism to prevent your details being uploaded as GPs are currently being told to use. So if you have opted out already and haven’t moved to a different practice, you should be fine. If for any reason your practice asks you to use the ‘official’ form, simply ask them to provide one – or to respect your clearly stated wishes in the form you have given, which provides all the same information. More than likely, your doctor is on your side.
—-
++ STOP PRESS : LONDON DAY OF ACTION – STOP THE ID CARD CON ++
This Saturday 13th March, NO2ID volunteers will be leafleting and spreading the message ‘Don’t be a Guinea-pig’ to young people and others in and around central London. We’ll be targeting various tube stations, student Halls of Residence and also doing a run of ‘alternative’ shops, which are likely to have a lot of customers in the relevant age range.
As with our Manchester days of action, groups are coming to London from around the country – and if you’d like to join us, we’d be delighted.
Start time: 11:30am, Saturday 13th March 2010
Assemble at: Ossulston Street Tenants and Residents Hall, Ossulston Street, London NW1 1EU
For more details, please ring Matty Mitford on 07500 836 461 or send her an e-mail at local.groups@no2id.net
What just happened? + Soviet Union No ID no entry policy +News that the Soviet Union is planning to introduce authoritarian ID checks for drinkers in Consett, County Durham may sound like the plot of a dodgy spy novel – but it’s true. A ‘No ID No Entry’ scheme is being proposed in Consett which would mean visitors to the Soviet Union bar would have to have their passport or driving licence scanned into a computer system before they can enter. The system called ‘Clubscan’ is increasingly being rolled out across the UK as civil liberties are traded for booze. Of course if enough customers refuse to submit to these arbitrary ID checks then the clubs and pubs will have to remove the systems.
See http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/consett/5033467.ID_proposal_for_drinkers_welcomed_by_bar_owner/
and http://www.idscan.co.uk/uk_products_clubscan.php
A report from the US internet security company Cryptohippie puts the UK at number six in the list of the world’s most repressive regimes in terms of the electronic surveillance of its citizens. The report ‘The Electronic Police State, 2010 National Rankings’ says: “The UK is aggressively building the world of 1984 in the name of stopping ‘anti-social’ activities. Their populace seems unable or unwilling to restrain the government”. The report defines an electronic police state as being characterised by “State use of electronic technologies to record, organize, search and distribute forensic evidence against its citizens”.
The report can be downloaded at https://secure.cryptohippie.com/pubs/EPS-2010.pdf
4th March was Germany’s Day of the New Identity Card. And if you didn’t know that, neither did most Germans. The eIDs are to be phased in from 1st November. Holders of the new cards will be able “not only to identify themselves to the authorities but also to make purchases on the Internet and electronically sign e-mails”. The eID is also “to contain employee data about employment relationships”. All of which raises the spectre of identity theft – a touchy subject ever since 2006, when supergeek Lukas Grunwald cloned a German ePassport in front of admirers in Las Vegas. That took less than £100 worth of legally bought equipment. The ePassport’s Basic Access Code has been deemed too simple for use on the German eID card, so a new protocol has been developed involving multi-layered access to the data on the card’s RFID chip. The German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) points out that: “a number of different identities are simultaneously stored on the radio chip”. The card readers used by the authorities will have access to all of them. “That is why, over the past three years, security experts have repeatedly asked the federal government how it intends to ensure that such readers, together with their software, can be used solely by the authorities and not by criminals…” Quizzed by the FAZ, a spokesman for the federal IT security office said the software “will certainly not be made publicly available”. But, he conceded, “that’s not to say software can’t be produced that would implement this procedure”. This is not the FAZ’s first foray into ID issues. In a detailed story on the British surveillance state, it noted “growing resistance to ID card plans” in the UK. But it held out one consolation to ID card guinea pigs – they have got themselves “a rare collector’s item”.
+ Birmingham Airport introduces face recognition +Birmingham Airport has introduce new face recognition gates (currently optional) which can be used by adults with a biometric passport from the UK or EU. To enter the gate the passenger places their passport on a reader which reads the passport data and checks them against national and international watch lists, the passenger’s face is then matched against the digital image stored on the passport. The same technology is being used on ID cards which are increasingly morphing into the passport. Will Heynes, operations director at Birmingham International Airport told the ‘thebusinessdesk.com’ website that: “we are pleased to be working with the UK Border Agency to provide a positive image for the five million people that arrive into the country each year through Birmingham Airport.”
What’s next?+ TELL THEM WHAT YOU THINK +
In the run-up to the election, you may be visited by canvassers of one or more parties. PLEASE DON’T FORGET to tell them that one of your major concerns is the ID scheme and the database state. It’s just one small way in which you can help keep candidates in your constituency aware of our issue – and that it is of local concern.
+ Call for North West Volunteers +
If you fancy doing something practical then we have a large supply of our new “Don’t be a Guinea Pig” leaflets, that warn of the dangers of being foolish enough to volunteer for the scheme. Ensuring as many people as possible are aware of what they are really signing up for helps us ensure people are not conned by the marketing. If you fancy helping out then email north@no2id.net with the number you would be happy to distribute and we will send them to you. Even better, come along to the next meeting of your local group to pick some up and meet some like-minded people. Check out http://www.no2id.net/localgroups/ for a list of groups in your area.
+ Have your say – National Identity Service Public Panels +
The UK Identity and Passport Service (UKIPS) is setting up public panels around the country to get the views of members of the public as they build the “National Identity Service”. Public panels will be made up of 11 members, and will meet for half a day up to three times a year. The aim is to “produce an Identity Rights Charter. This will set out the rights and responsibilities people, businesses and the Government have under the NIS”. To join a panel you can fill in the online form at www.ips.gov.uk/publicpanel or call 020 3356 8174.
More details at http://www.ips.gov.uk/cps/rde/xchg/ips_live/hs.xsl/1189.htm
+ Home Sec says 17m ID cards in circulation by 2017 – The Register 11/3/10 +
The government expects to have issued 17 million ID cards by 2017, Home Secretary Alan Johnson told the Commons yesterday. Johnson was responding to a question from his Tory shadow, Chris Grayling, who asked: “What proportion of the estimated 49 million products to be issued between April 2012 and March 2017 … will be identity cards?”
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/03/11/id_card_forecast/
+ Government spends £11k on ID card ‘branding’ – The Register 10/3/10 +
The government still seems to be shying away from spending too much money advertising its ID card and National ID Register schemes.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/03/10/id_marketing/
+ BMA says ’suspend SCR roll-out’ – e-Health Insider 10/3/10 +
The British Medical Association has written to the government calling for the roll-out of the Summary Care Record to be suspended. In a letter to health minister Mike O’Brien, the doctors’ union claims the roll-out of the SCR has been accelerated before sufficient independent evaluation of the pilot areas has taken place.
http://www.e-health-insider.com/news/5716/bma_says_%27suspend_scr_roll-out%27
+ Northerners give up ID cards for Lent figures suggest – The Register 9/3/10 +
In a Commons answer yesterday, ID minister Meg Hillier said that as of March 3 there have been 4,307 applications for identity cards from people living in the northwest of England, including Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire and Cumbria.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/03/09/id_card_numbers/
+ Letter errors fuel SCR roll-out row – e-Health Insider 9/3/10 +
Local medical committees have reported that their attempts to include opt-out forms in information sent to patients has been blocked. Meanwhile, a glitch at a mailing house used by NHS Connecting for Health has led to patients receiving information packs addressed to other patients.
http://www.e-health-insider.com/news/5715/letter_errors_fuel_scr_roll-out_row
+ Brown renews commitment to DNA database – Computing 2/3/10 +
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has renewed his commitment to the National Police DNA Database in a major speech promising to put new measures against anti-social behaviour at the heart of his General Election campaign.
http://www.computing.co.uk/computing/news/2258797/brown-dna-database
+ Q&A: The ID card commissioner talks cards and controversy – IT Pro 2/3/10 +
The identity card scheme has been controversial since the idea was first mooted, called intrusive, unnecessary, expensive and another addition to the UK’s Big Brother state.
http://www.itpro.co.uk/621052/q-a-the-id-card-commissioner-talks-cards-and-controversy
+ ID cards : well-intentioned, but no guarantees – Public technology 1/3/10 +
The man in charge of overseeing the UK’s ID card scheme is confident that all data will be stored securely, but admits that even after three months study he cannot give the scheme a full bill of health.
http://www.publictechnology.net/sector/id-cards-well-intentioned-no-guarantees
(Please send me any items of interest you encounter – Editor(newsletter@no2id.net) )
+ LOCAL GROUPS NEWS +To see if there’s a group in your area check our list at http://www.no2id.net/localgroups/
Or, if you’re interested in starting a group yourself, please contact Matty on local.groups@no2id.net to discuss what’s involved and what we have in place to support coordinators and their groups.
+ Blackburn +
+ 15th March – Blackburn NO2ID Official Launch Meeting +
Monday 15th March, 7:30pm at meeting room 1 in Blackburn Central Library, Town Hall St, Blackburn, Lancashire BB2 1AH. We are pleased to announce Blackburn NO2ID’s official launch meeting! The meeting is free to attend and after a short talk by our North of England coordinator, Frankie the new Blackburn coordinator will be leading a group discussion on getting the campaign going within Blackburn. If you would like to attend this meeting please email Blackburn@no2id.net
If you are interested in the work of this group, please join the Blackburn mailing group at
http://lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.blackburn
+ Cambridge +
+ 27th March – Cambridge NO2ID Street Stall +
Saturday 27th February, in the usual spot outside Cambridge Guildhall (http://www.aardvarkmap.net/mape/T5LZATLS) from 1pm (note earlier time). Please contact Andrew on 07710 469624 if you’d like to help.
+ 7th April – Cambridge NO2ID Pub Meeting +
Wednesday 7th April, 7:30pm at the Salisbury Arms, 76 Tenison Rd, Cambridge CB1 2DW (http://www.aardvarkmap.net/mape/CYXNES29) for Cambridge NO2ID’s usual monthly pub meeting.
+ 10th April – Cambridge NO2ID Stall +
Saturday 10th April, in the usual spot outside Cambridge Guildhall (http://www.aardvarkmap.net/mape/T5LZATLS) from 1pm. Please contact Andrew on 07710 469624 if you’d like to help.
For more details email andrew.watson@no2id.net or call 07710 469624.
+ Canterbury +
To stay up to date join the Canterbury NO2ID mailing list on:
http://lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.canterbury
+ Derby +
+ 16th March – Derby NO2ID Monthly Meeting +
Tuesday 16th March, 7:30pm in the cafe bar of the Quad Arts Centre in the city centre. All welcome. Any queries, contact Nick Wray, Local Co-ordinator – derby@no2id.net or 07763 932 176
+ Dorking +
+ 13th & 20th March – Dorking NO2ID Street Stalls, Crawley +
Saturday 13th/20th March in Crawley, contact south.east@no2id.net for more info.
+ 25th March – Election Question Time on Civil Liberties +
Thursday 25th March, 7.30pm at the Civic Hall, Crawley. We’ll be holding 3 street stalls in Crawley and much else to promote this event.
If you would like to help or get involved, email Geoff Cox at dorking@no2id.net or come along to our monthly get-togethers.
+ Dover +
+ 25th March – Dover NO2ID Annual Branch Meeting in Dover +
Thursday 25th March, 8pm start, at the White Horse pub, St James Street, Dover (bottom of Castle Hill Road, by Leisure Centre Car Park). We have the pub’s back room.*
+ 29th March – Dover NO2ID Annual Branch Meeting in Folkestone +
Monday 29th March, 8.30pm start, at The Bar Below, The View, Aspen Terrace, Folkestone (by roundabout at eastern end of The Leas). We have the basement bar – enter main bar and turn left for stairs.*
*All members and supporters welcome. After a very small amount of “formal business”, there’ll be discussion and planning of activities and items of current interest; an address from Matty Mitford, NO2ID’s Local Groups Officer, visiting from London, and at the Folkestone meeting only, a showing of a comedy DVD about ID cards. Further information from Ian Taylor: dover@no2id.net
To stay up to date with Dover NO2ID join our mailing list on: http://lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.dover
+ Edinburgh +
Pre Election Hustings Planned
The main topic at our last Edinburgh group meeting (23rd February) was planning for the run up to the general election. It was decided to organise hustings in collaboration with other party-independent voluntary groups and to target a single local constituency, either Edinburgh East or North. Planning continues: anyone with relevant expertise or experience is most welcome to join in.
+ 13th March – POWER 2010 campaign stall to join us +
Saturday 13th March, from 12 noon onwards. The POWER 2010 campaign will be setting up a stall alongside ours at our usual venue opposite the Balmoral Hotel in Princes Street.
+ Saturdays 1pm – 3pm – Edinburgh NO2ID Street Stall +
Every week, weather permitting, you will find our campaigning stall at the east end of Princes Street, opposite the Balmoral Hotel. Do drop by for a chat. New volunteers – please contact John (edinburgh@no2id.net), and for more group information see http://www.no2id-scotland.net/edinburgh/
+ Exeter +
If you would like to join the Exeter group, please email exeter@no2id.net and say hello! Do also join the Exeter group mailing list at http://lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.exeter
+ Hull & East Riding +
If you are interested in the work of this group, or planning on attending the meeting, please join the Hull mailing group here: http://www.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.hull
+ Ipswich +
If you are interested in the work of the Ipswich group, please join their mailing list on: http://www.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.ipswich
+ Lancaster +
+ 20th March – Lancaster NO2ID Meeting and Street Stall +
Saturday 20th March, 12pm in The Robert Gillow, Market Street, Lancaster (http://maps.google.co.uk/places/gb/lancaster/market-st/64/-the-robert-gillow?gl=uk). Following the success of the first Lancaster NO2ID street stall we are planning another meeting to be followed directly by our second stall (weather permitting). The meeting will be an informal and friendly discussion about all recent progressions in the ID card scheme, and the NO2ID campaign – an excellent way for new members to meet some like-minded people and for everyone to keep up-to-date with and discuss what’s happening nationally, and what you feel should be happening locally. Lots of good campaign suggestions were raised last time and hopefully we’ll be able to build and expand upon those.
If you are interested in the work of this group, or planning on attending the meeting, please join the Lancaster mailing group at http://www.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.lancaster
+ Leeds +
+ 27th March – Leeds NO2ID Street Stall +
Saturday 27th March from 1.30pm, on Briggate, probably opposite Harvey Nichols or thereabouts (weather permitting). Meet at 1pm. Drop by and offer your services to the cause, or email leeds@no2id.net.
If you are interested in the work of this group, please join the Leeds mailing group at http://lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.leeds
+ Liverpool +
Co-ordinator Wanted for Liverpool NO2ID
‘Don’t be a Guinea Pig’ leaflets are now being distributed across the city by people who have come forward to help with the campaign. A special thanks goes to Cllrs Radford and Keaveney for their efforts in this regard. Yet the City still lacks a group that meets regular and needs someone to take on the coordinator role. If you are interested in this position please email James Elsdon-Baker our North of England coordinator on north@no2id.net
The city also has a local NO2ID mailing list you can join, which then enables you to contact other supporters in the area to start planning activities together, join the Liverpool mailing group here: http://no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.liverpool
+ Manchester +
+ 13th March – Manchester NO2ID Street Stall +
Saturday 13th March, from 2pm-4pm in St Ann’s Square, Manchester (down near the big Marks and Spencer), to raise awareness among the public and engage people in discussion about the National Identity Register. We’ll be collecting signatures for the NO2ID petition to keep people in touch with the campaign. We’ll meet in the square itself to set up shop; feel free to join us to lend a hand or just chat. You don’t need any experience or equipment, just a bit of time to spare and a friendly smile!
http://manchester.no2id.net/content/street-stall-march-2010
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=346562696111
+ 7th April – Manchester NO2ID Monthly Meeting +
Wednesday 10th March, 7pm-9pm in the Salmon Rooms at the Lass O’Gowrie pub, Manchester. Unfortunately this room is on the first floor; we will attempt to secure stair-free access for future meetings. We will be in the bar beforehand, enjoying the food and drink, so look out for us if you arrive early. If you arrive after the start, just ask the bar staff to direct you upstairs.
+ 10th April – Manchester NO2ID Street Stall +
Saturday 10th April, from 2pm-4pm in St. Ann’s Square, Manchester (down near the big Marks and Spencer) for our regular public information stall.
+ 8th May – Manchester NO2ID Monthly Meeting +
Saturday 8th May, 12:30pm-2pm in the Moon Under Water pub on Deansgate. In a change from the regular schedule, Manchester NO2ID will hold a meeting before our Saturday stall. We will probably be towards the back of the pub, and possibly upstairs.
+ 8th May – Manchester
Saturday 8th May, 2pm-4pm in St. Ann’s Square in Manchester (down near the big Marks and Spencer). Manchester NO2ID will be running a public information stall two days after the likely General Election. Help us keep up the pressure on the new Government! We’ll meet in the square itself to set up shop; feel free to join us to lend a hand or just chat. You don’t need any experience or equipment, just a bit of time to spare and a friendly smile!
+ Newcastle +
+ 13th April – Newcastle NO2ID Meeting +
Tuesday 13th April, 7:30pm at the Jazz Cafe, Pink Lane (opposite Newcastle central railway station). Please email Newcastle@no2id.net for further information.
If you are interested in the work of this group, please join the Newcastle mailing group at
http://www.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.newcastle
+ Norwich +
+ 12th March – Norwich NO2ID on Future Radio Community Chest Show +
Friday 12th March at 11am we’ll be on Future Radio talking about the campaign so tune in to 96.9FM or listen online at http://www.futureradio.co.uk and tell your friends!
+ 13th March – Norwich NO2ID Street Stall +
Saturday 13th March, 1-3pm at The Haymarket, Gentleman’s Walk. Come along to tell the public why ID cards are an intrusive waste of money. The more the merrier!
+ 16th March – Norwich NO2ID Meeting +
Tuesday 16th March, 7:30-9pm, Norwich NO2ID will be meeting at The Workshop Cafe (opposite The Black Horse), 53 Earlham Road, NR2 3AD. Join us to develop general election tactics and more. We’re planning a few days out to local areas to do stalls, so if you’d like the stall to head your way, please get in touch.
+ 27th March – NHS Database Day of Action +
Saturday 27th March, 12pm at the Castle Meadow entrance to the Castle Mall. We will raise public awareness about opting out with banners, flyers, handouts and hearty discussion.
If you are interested in the work of the Norwich group, please join their mailing list on: http://www.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.norwich
+ Oxford +
+ 27th March – NO2ID Oxford Street Stall +
Saturday 27th February, 11am by St Michael’s Tower on Cornmarket Street for a couple of hours talking to people and gathering signatures.
+ 1st April – NO2ID Oxford Meeting +
Thursday 1st April, from 8pm at the Mitre pub on the High Street for a drink and a chat about campaigning opportunities in the run up to the general election – everyone is welcome.
See the website for more info on Oxford NO2ID: http://no2id-oxford.org.uk/
+ Portsmouth +
Join the Portsmouth mailing list at http://lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.portsmouth/
+ Reading +
Contact Reading NO2ID on reading@no2id.net or join our web group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Reading-No2ID/
+ Sheffield +
+ 24th March – Sheffield NO2ID Meeting +
Wednesday 24th March, 7:30pm at the Harlequin pub, 108 Nursery St, Sheffield, S3 8GG (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=s3+8gg). The meeting room is upstairs. We usually congregate in the bar shortly before the meeting. Please ask the bar staff if you can’t find us.
Please join the mailing list If you haven’t already: http://lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.sheffield
+ St Helens & Wigan +
+ 23rd March – St Helens & Wigan NO2ID Inaugural Meeting +
Tuesday 23rd March, 7pm at St.Helens Central library. Everyone opposed to government ID card plans is welcome to the inaugural meeting of St Helens & Wigan NO2ID. Please email Terry Vasey, the new co-ordintor at st.helens@no2id.net for further information and to confirm attendance.
Anyone interested in the work of this new group should join the St.Helens mailing group at http://lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.st-helens
+ Watford +
Please contact Colin Simmons on watford@no2id.net if you are interested in giving a couple of hours a month to join us.
+ York +
+ 13th March & 20th March – York NO2ID Street Stall +
Saturday 13th & 20th March, from 10.30-12.30 on Parliament street. In a push to raise awareness of the campaign York NO2ID are running streets stalls every Saturday before the election. Email Ross at York@no2id.net or call 07870 529 299 if you can lend a hand.
We are also in the middle of a large leaflet delivery exercise – any help gratefully received!
You can join our Facebook group here: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/group.php?gid=54041617189&ref=ts
Anyone interested in the work of this group should join the York mailing group at
http://www.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.york
http://www.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id-supporters
If you have any problems, please send an e-mail to listmaster@no2id.net
Publication details: © NO2ID 2010 – This document may be freely redistributed in one-to-one communications or physical copies as long as it is reproduced in its entirety including this notice. It may not be mass-mailed without the prior permission of NO2ID.NO2ID, Box 412, 19-21 Crawford Street, LONDON W1H 1PJ
Share and Enjoy:Newsletter No. 143
++ NO2ID Supporters’ Newsletter No. 143 – 25th February 2010 ++
+ DANGERS OF DATA RETENTION +
Anti-filesharing measures in the Digital Economy Bill currently before
Parliament open a back door into your and your family’s personal lives
that *will* be exploited by the database state.
Last year’s public outcry against a Communications Data Database -
intended to store details of your phone calls, e-mails and internet
browsing – forced the last Home Secretary to disavow plans for a giant
surveillance database and to drop the proposed legislation. But things
didn’t end there.
The Data Retention (EC Directive) Regulations 2009 were still passed,
requiring internet service providers (ISPs) and telecoms providers to
retain communications data on all fixed and mobile phone, e-mail and
internet usage for 12 months. Because this is linked to the details of
the person subscribed to the service, the retained data, wherever it is
held, forms a digital dossier on YOU… and your family.
Even national security is no excuse for blanket surveillance of
everyone’s communications, but the Digital Economy Bill would now make
allegations of copyright infringement sufficient grounds for ‘fishing
expeditions’ (speculative searches) in the data retained by ISPs -
thereby ensuring the technology must be in place to enable mass
surveillance by other agencies and organisations.
With a new unit set up at the Home Office just last month to push
forward the £2 billion ‘Interception Modernisation Programme’ (IMP), it
isn’t hard to imagine who else’ll be snooping too.
Open Rights Group (http://www.openrightsgroup.org) and others continue
to campaign against measures in the Digital Economy Bill. They have
various objections – but as NO2ID we have to be concerned about any
pretext for mass surveillance without any form of warrant or oversight.
Interception of communications was historically so sensitive that it was
made into a power exercised only on the approval of the Home Secretary
that cannot be even mentioned in court. We fail to see why recording all
your communications (and providing technical means for them to be
arbitrarily investigated) is any different to opening your letters or
secretly breaking into your home.
Please do write to your MP (http://www.writetothem.com/) in your own
words, expressing your concerns.
————————————————————————
What just happened?
+ ID commissioner releases his first report +
The Identity Commissioner, Sir Joseph Pilling today published his first
annual report to the Home Secretary into the ID scheme. In the report
Pilling attempts to reach out to NO2ID, saying: “I would have welcomed a
chance to meet and listen to NO2ID and have written to them twice to ask
them to meet me. They replied to my first letter by saying that they
would be willing to speak with me if there were any prospect that our
meeting could lead to a restriction or abandonment of the identity card
scheme. I await a response to my second letter.” Pilling later goes on
to point out that: “My remit on complaints does not extend to whether or
not there should be a national identity card and where correspondents
have lobbied on this I have directed them to IPS [Identity and Passport
Service].” So that’ll be a “no” to his being able to assist in the
abandonment of the identity card scheme then.
The report can be downloaded at
http://www.identitycommissioner.org/cps/rde/xchg/idc_live/hs.xsl/index.htm
+ Stop ID cards/database state makes it into POWER2010 pledge +
The POWER2010’s campaign has produced its final list of the most popular
proposals that will make up their ‘Power Plegde’ and “Scrap ID cards and
roll back the database state” made it into the pledge at number two with
just over 10,000 votes. The other proposals are to introduce: a
proportional voting system, an elected House of Lords, English votes on
English laws, and a commitment to drawing up a written constitution. The
next aim for Power2010 is to get as many people as possible to sign the
Pledge and then take it to the candidates in their constituency, by
writing to them, calling them, and attending local hustings, public
meetings and MPs’ surgeries. The idea is to ask every candidate standing
at the next election to make a public commitment – a pledge – “to clean
up and reform our politics”.
For more info or to take the pledge visit http://www.power2010.org.uk
+ UK climbs the UN’s e-government hit parade +
The UK has the dubious accolade of jumping several places in the United
Nations’ 2010 e-Government Development Index, from tenth place in 2008
to fourth place in 2010. This puts the UK “ahead” of all other European
countries, and behind South Korea, the United States, and Canada. Much
of the e-government agenda is about smoothing the way for wholesale data
sharing. A UN overview of the report states that: “The public trust that
is gained through transparency can be further enhanced through the free
sharing of government data based on open standards.” Not a view that
many privacy conscious UK citizens share.
The UK data page is at
http://www2.unpan.org/egovkb/ProfileCountry.aspx?ID=182
The full report will be online soon at
http://www2.unpan.org/egovkb/global_reports/10report.htm
+ Changes to ICO Data Sharing code of practice +
The Department of Justice has released a circular that outlines key
provisions of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 that came into force on
1st February. One such provision is an amendment to the Data Protection
Act which places a duty on the Information Commissioner “to produce,
issue and keep under review a code of practice containing practical
guidance about the sharing of personal data”. Any failure to act in
accordance with the terms of the new code … “will not render anyone
liable to proceedings in a court or tribunal”!
See
http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/docs/circular-02-2010-coroners-justice-act.pdf
+ Home Office release details of airisde workers ID evaluation +
The Home Office Research, Development and Statistics department has
released ‘Home Office Research Report 31′ which details the ‘Baseline
for the evaluation of airside workers’ identity cards’. The document
explains how the success or failure of the 18-month review period of ID
cards for airside workers will be measured. The report states that:
“Currently, only foreign airside workers who possess a UKBA [UK Borders
Agency] issued Foreign National Identity Card have biometric identity
assurance and these are estimated to represent less than three per cent
of employees with immediate airside access”.
The report can be downloaded at
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs10/horr31c.pdf
————————————————————————
What’s next?
*+WANTED – leaflet distribution in London +
*We have in the Vauxhall office 150,000 ‘Don’t be a Guinea Pig’ leaflets
hot off the presses and we need to distribute them to places where they
will get into the hands of London’s young adult population, who are
being targeted by the Home Office as potential ID-card applicants. This
is *not* a matter of door to door distribution. And it is specifically
for London. We need volunteers able to make contact with universities,
colleges, and entertainment venues, who will take responsibility for
locating and regularly replenishing a handful of identified distribution
points. Perhaps you work in academia or entertainment and already know
some appropriate sites. Or perhaps you live close to a college and know
the cafes and bars frequented by students. Contact the office:
office at no2id.net with the subject line: “leaflets” if you would like to
help.
*+ Volunteers Needed +*
In the run up to the general election we will have an increased amount
of post to send out and will need the help of volunteers to stuff
envelopes. If you can spare a few hours occasionally and are able to
come to the NO2ID office in Vauxhall please contact Stephanie at
administrator at no2id.net or 07005 800 651.
***+ Call for North West Volunteers +*
If you fancy doing something practical then we have a large supply of
our new “Don’t be a Guinea Pig” leaflets, that warn of the dangers of
being foolish enough to volunteer for the scheme. Ensuring as many
people as possible are aware of what they are really signing up for
helps us ensure people are not conned by the marketing. If you fancy
helping out then email north at no2id.net with the number you would be
happy to distribute and we will send them to you. Even better, come
along to the next meeting of your local group to pick some up and meet
some like-minded people. Check out http://www.no2id.net/localgroups/ for
a list of groups in your area.
*+ Have your say – National Identity Service Public Panels +*
The UK Identity and Passport Service (UKIPS) is setting up public panels
around the country to get the views of members of the public as they
build the “National Identity Service”. Public panels will be made up of
11 members, and will meet for half a day up to three times a year. The
aim is to “produce an Identity Rights Charter. This will set out the
rights and responsibilities people, businesses and the Government have
under the NIS”. To join a panel you can fill in the online form at
www.ips.gov.uk/publicpanel or call 020 3356 8174.
More details at http://www.ips.gov.uk/cps/rde/xchg/ips_live/hs.xsl/1189.htm
————————————————————————
“ID” in the news
*+ ID card tsar understands public reaction – Manchester Evening News
25/2/10 +*
ID card tsar Sir Joseph Pilling has admitted he can see why people don’t
understand why the scheme is needed. The Rochdale-born, former top civil
servant is the government’s independent identity commissioner, whose
role it is to ensure the controversial ID scheme is run properly.
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1193767_id_card_tsar_understands_public_reaction_
*+ Impossible to know how many fake ID cards issued, says watchdog -
Computing 25/2/10 +*
It is impossible to tell whether identity cards have been obtained
fraudulently, according to the first report of the identity
commissioner. The independent commissioner Sir Joseph Pilling was put in
place to oversee the government’s £5.4bn National Identity Scheme and
issued his first update today.
http://www.computing.co.uk/computing/news/2258543/impossible-know-fake-id-cards
*+ ID card scheme ditches DWP database – Computer Weekly 24/2/10 +*
The Identity and Passport Service is rethinking its ID card scheme after
ditching a major design component. The IPS dropped its plan to use
another government database to keep biographical details of identity
card holders, one of three core architectural principles established for
the scheme in 2006.
http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2010/02/24/240403/ID-card-scheme-ditches-DWP-database.htm
*+ Is our fear of identity cards harming us? – Law Gazette 22/2/10 +*
Here is a topic to raise the blood pressure of every patriotic UK
citizen. Whereas on the continent, benign democratic societies flourish
with a population which carries ID cards, somehow it is thought that
darkness will descend on the UK if ID cards are ever introduced.
http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/blogs/euro-blog/is-our-fear-identity-cards-harming-us
*+ Second thoughts about Britain’s ID cards and privacy – CSMonitor
22/2/10 +*
A new survey suggests public support for the cards has fallen and
worries about government intrusions into privacy are on the rise.
http://www.csmonitor.com/Money/The-Adam-Smith-Institute-Blog/2010/0222/Second-thoughts-about-Britain-s-ID-cards-and-privacy
*+ Cop Jailed – Wilesdesn and Brent Times 18/2/10 +*
A corrupt police officer who tipped off crooks by leaking information
from police databases was jailed for seven months.
http://www.wbtimes.co.uk/content/brent/willesdenchronicle/news/story.aspx?brand=WBCOnline&category=news&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newswbc&itemid=WeED18%20Feb%202010%2017%3A41%3A43%3A850
*+ ID cards: there’s more than money to lose – Spiked 15/2/10 +*
With the UK government’s accounts seriously in the red, opposition
politicians have been queuing up to cite the unpopular and costly
National Identity Card scheme as top of their list of New Labour
initiatives to be culled. However, unless the argument against this
intrusive scheme is won on the grounds of defending privacy, rather than
shoring up the state’s balance sheet, the demise of ID cards could be a
hollow and temporary victory for freedom campaigners.
http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php/site/article/8091/
(Please send me any items of interest you encounter -
Editor(newsletter at no2id.net) )
————————————————————————
*+ LOCAL GROUPS NEWS + *
To see if there’s a group in your area check our list at
http://www.no2id.net/localgroups/
Or, if you’re interested in starting a group yourself, please contact
Matty on local.groups at no2id.net to discuss what’s involved and what we
have in place to support coordinators and their groups.
_*+ Blackburn +*_
*+ 15th March – Blackburn NO2ID Official Launch Meeting +*
Monday 15th March, 7:30pm at meeting room 1 in Blackburn Central
Library, Town Hall St, Blackburn, Lancashire BB2 1AH. We are pleased to
announce Blackburn NO2ID’s official launch meeting! The meeting is free
to attend and after a short talk by our North of England coordinator,
Frankie the new Blackburn coordinator will be leading a group discussion
on getting the campaign going within Blackburn. If you would like to
attend this meeting please email Blackburn at no2id.net
If you are interested in the work of this group, please join the
Blackburn mailing group at
http://lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.blackburn
_*+ Cambridge +*_
*+ 27th February – Cambridge NO2ID Street Stall +*
Saturday 27th February in the usual spot outside Cambridge Guildhall
(http://www.aardvarkmap.net/mape/T5LZATLS) from 1pm (note earlier time).
Please contact Andrew on 07710 469624 if you’d like to help.
*+ 3rd March – Cambridge NO2ID Pub Meeting +
*Wednesday 3rd February, 7:30pm at the Salisbury Arms, 76 Tenison Rd,
Cambridge CB1 2DW (http://www.aardvarkmap.net/mape/CYXNES29) for
Cambridge NO2ID’s usual monthly pub meeting.
For more details email andrew.watson at no2id.net or call 07710 469624.
_**__*+ Canterbury +*_
To stay up to date join the Canterbury NO2ID mailing list on:
http://lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.canterbury
_*+ Dorking +*_
*+ 2nd March – Dorking NO2ID Monthly Meeting (first Tuesday of month) +*
Tuesday 2nd March, at 7.30pm – our monthly get-together at South Street
Wine Bar, 43 South Street, Dorking.
*+ 6th, 13th & 20th March – Dorking NO2ID Street Stalls, Crawley +*
Saturday 6th/13th/20th March in Crawley, contact south.east at no2id.net
for more info.
*+ 25th March – Election Question Time on Civil Liberties +*
Thursday 25th March, 7.30pm at the Civic Hall, Crawley. We’ll be holding
3 street stalls in Crawley and much else to promote this event.
If you would like to help or get involved, email Geoff Cox at
dorking at no2id.net or come along to our monthly get-togethers.
_*+ Dover +*_*
*To stay up to date with Dover NO2ID join our mailing list on:
http://lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.dover
_**__*+ Edinburgh +
*_*****
****Pre Election Hustings Planned*
The main topic at our last Edinburgh group meeting (23rd February) was
planning for the run up to the general election. It was decided to
organise hustings in collaboration with other party-independent
voluntary groups and to target a single local constituency, either
Edinburgh East or North. Planning continues: anyone with relevant
expertise or experience is most welcome to join in.
*
+ Saturdays 1pm – 3pm – NO2ID Edinburgh Street Stall +*
Every week, weather permitting, you will find our campaigning stall at
the east end of Princes Street, opposite the Balmoral Hotel. Do drop by
for a chat. New volunteers – please contact John (edinburgh at no2id.net),
and for more group information see http://www.no2id-scotland.net/edinburgh/
_**_
_*+ Exeter +*_
If you would like to join the Exeter group, please email
exeter at no2id.net and say hello! Do also join the Exeter group mailing
list at http://lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.exeter
**
_*+ Hull & East Riding +*_
*+ 27th February – Hull & East Riding NO2ID meeting +*
Saturday 27 February 2010, 12 noon at The Mission pub, followed by
street stall from 1.00pm, Hull City Centre. Meeting to discuss street
stalls for the year and events/activity in the run up to local and
national elections. All welcome! No need to commit to anything – all
welcome to learn more about the work of the local group and contribute
ideas. Contact hull at no2id.net for more info or call 07931 115738
*+ 1st March – Official Hull & East Riding NO2ID Launch event and
photocall +*
Monday 1 March 2010, 11am at Queen Victoria Square. Just a quick heads
up that Cllr Carl Minns (Leader of Hull City Council) has agreed to
attend our formal launch / photocall as discussed at the meeting. All
welcome to help launch the local campaign! Contact hull at no2id.net for
more info or call 07931 115738
If you are interested in the work of this group, or planning on
attending the meeting, please join the Hull mailing group here:
http://www.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.hull
_**__*+ Ipswich +*_*
*
If you are interested in the work of the Ipswich group, please join
their mailing list on: http://www.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.ipswich
_*+ Lancaster +*_
*+ 20th March – Lancaster NO2ID Meeting and Street Stall +*
Saturday 20th March, 12pm in The Robert Gillow (Market Street,
Lancaster). Following the success of the first Lancaster NO2ID street
stall, we are planning another meeting to be followed directly by our
second stall (which we hope we have slightly warmer weather !) . We will
be having a relaxed and informal meeting at 12pm to discuss news and
plan future events , then if you feel like it you are welcome to come on
and join us to help distribute ‘Don’t Be a Guinea Pig Leaflets’ and
collect signatures on our petition on a street stall. If you plan to
attend or have any questions please email the local coordinator at
Lancaster at no2id.net
If you are interested in the work of this group, or planning on
attending the meeting, please join the Lancaster mailing group at
http://www.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.lancaster
_*+ Liverpool +*_
*Co-ordinator Wanted for Liverpool NO2ID*
‘Don’t be a Guinea Pig’ leaflets are now being distributed across the
city by people who have come forward to help with the campaign. A
special thanks goes to Cllrs Radford and Keaveney for their efforts in
this regard. Yet the City still lacks a group that meets regular and
needs someone to take on the coordinator role. If you are interested in
this position please email James Elsdon-Baker our North of England
coordinator on north at no2id.net
The city also has a local NO2ID mailing list you can join, which then
enables you to contact other supporters in the area to start planning
activities together, join the Liverpool mailing group here:
http://no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.liverpool
_*+ Manchester +*_
_*
*_*+ 10th March – Manchester NO2ID Monthly Meeting +*
Wednesday 10th March, 7pm in the Salmon Rooms at the Lass O’Gowrie pub,
Manchester. Unfortunately this room is on the first floor; we will
attempt to secure stair-free access for future meetings. We’re also
getting the room at a discount, so please show your gratitude at the bar
with the excellent selection of real ales and tasty pies. At our monthly
meetings we discuss the state of the NO2ID campaign, what we’ve been up
to recently and where we’re going in future. Everyone is welcome,
newcomer or not, curious or committed. See minutes of our previous
meetings on our site.
*+ 13th March – Manchester NO2ID Street Stall +*
Saturday 13th March, from 2 til 4pm in St Ann’s Square, Manchester (down
near the big Marks and Spencer). The Home Office is trying to trick
people into being Guinea Pigs for the ID Card Con. Many people have
fallen for spin that the National Identity Scheme has been cancelled,
that it isn’t a threat or is voluntary. It’s more important than ever to
get the word out about the Database State. We’ll be running a public
information stall to raise awareness among the public and engage people
in discussion about the National Identity Register. We’ll be collecting
signatures for the NO2ID petition to keep people in touch with the
campaign. We’ll meet in the square itself at 2pm to set up shop; feel
free to join us to lend a hand or just chat. You don’t need any
experience or equipment, just a bit of time to spare and a friendly smile!
**_*+ Norwich +*_
*
**+ 13th March – Norwich NO2ID Street Stall +*
Saturday 13th March, 1-3pm at The Haymarket, Gentleman’s Walk. Come
along to tell the public why ID cards are an intrusive waste of money.
*+ 16th March – Norwich NO2ID Meeting +*
Tuesday 16th March, 7:30-9pm, Norwich NO2ID will be meeting at The
Workshop Cafe (opposite The Black Horse), 53 Earlham Road, NR2 3AD. Join
us to discuss general election tactics and other interesting things like
that.
*
*If you are interested in the work of the Norwich group, please join
their mailing list on: http://www.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.norwich
_*+ Oxford +*_
*+ 27th February – NO2ID Oxford Street Stall +*
Saturday 27th February, as usual, we’ll meet up by St Michael’s Tower on
Cornmarket St at 11am and be there for a couple of hours talking to
people and gathering signatures.
*+ 4th March – NO2ID Oxford Meeting +*
Thursday 4th March, from 8pm at the Mitre pub on the High Street.
See the website for more info on Oxford NO2ID: http://no2id-oxford.org.uk/
_*+ Portsmouth +*_
Join the Portsmouth mailing list at
http://lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.portsmouth/
_*+ Reading +*_*
*
Contact Reading NO2ID on reading at no2id.net or join our web group at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Reading-No2ID/
_*+ Sheffield +*_
*+ 24th March – Sheffield NO2ID Meeting +*
Wednesday 24th March, 7:30pm at the Harlequin pub, 108 Nursery St,
Sheffield, S3 8GG (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=s3+8gg). This is our
regular monthly meeting where we’ll be discussing how the campaign is
progressing and organising local activities. Everybody is welcome. If
you would like to get involved in the campaign or want to find out more
about the issues then please come along.
The meeting room is upstairs. We usually congregate in the bar shortly
before the meeting. Please ask the bar staff if you can’t find us.
If you are interested in the work of this group, please join the
Sheffield mailing group here:
http://lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.sheffield
_*+ Watford +*_*
*
Please contact Colin Simmons on watford at no2id.net if you are interested
in giving a couple of hours a month to join us.
_*+ York +*_
*
+ 27th February – York NO2ID Weekly Street Stall, and every Saturday
until election +*
Saturday 27th February, and every Saturday until the election, from
10.30-12.30. The stalls will be taking place on Parliament Street.
Please email York at no2id.net or call 07870 529 299 if you would like to
get involved.
If you are interested in the work of this group please join the York
mailing group here: http://www.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.york
