back to article UK.gov lays down rules for cross-Whitehall data slurps

The UK government has offered more detail on how public authorities can pass around the data they hold on citizens – a mere five months after the Digital Economy Act passed into law. The final versions of the codes of practice, which are used to add some meat to the bones of the legislation, are now open for a six-week …

  1. John Smith 19 Gold badge
    Unhappy

    Can you bet Google will have a project that absolutely demands all the UK data?

    I think so.

  2. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    "Consultation" my arse.

    More like a pointless charade, intended to rubber stamp this vile legislation.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Happy

      Re: "Consultation" my arse.

      I didn't see a link to them in either the article or the Government's cover note. They are at:

      https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/digital-economy-act-part-5-data-sharing-codes-and-regulations

      They do ramble on a lot. e.g.

      "You must be transparent about your use of the powers so citizens can understand what data is being shared, the bodies that are disclosing or receiving data, and why. Unless there are particular national security or other sensitivities which would outweigh the public interest in disclosure, information about information sharing agreements should be published in a searchable electronic public register. You must also adhere to the ICO’s codes of practice such as the one on privacy notices."

      Whereas they could have just written

      "You must dream up some reason why your information sharing agreement needs to be kept secret."

  3. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    The Law of Unintended Consequences (or maybe this is the intention?)

    A consultation by this government and the outcome could be very different to the consultation by a future government but now the law has been passed there is nothing you or I can do about it.

    All your data are belong to us.

    I also note the following,

    "wellbeing of citizens" - So basically health data is up for grabs.

    "re-tuning televisions" - If it's vulnerable people they will already be under a care system and should have a carer so what benefit is data sharing between departments going to help with this?

    "support gang members to exit gang culture" - This will be done by a specialist team within the council young people services, again, what benefit is data sharing between departments going to help with this?

    and I'm not even going to entertain "reduce street sleeping", more homes, help from the council and support services is what is needed.

    "the government can share data to claw back money owed to it" - Now we get to one of the real aims of this law, there won't be any code or rules when it comes to money. Paid your council tax bill in full but claim benefits? Claiming benefits but earned a load of money before you did?(Savings?) There's a couple of flags they will use to investigate people.

    Maybe I'm missing something here but I don't see it any other way.

  4. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Not sure how this all fits in...

    Not sure how this all fits in with Amber Rudd's statement that 'real people' don't care about encryption. Amber Rudd at least, just sees Privacy...well that's the point, she doesn't 'see' Privacy... as a need for UK Citizens at all.

    She really isn't a good role model for other women at the sharp end of Tech, striving to highlight the importance of Data Handling/Privacy, let's put it that way.

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