Give it a year
And GDPR (probably) won't apply to the non-EU citizens living in the UK.
Campaign group Big Brother Watch has accused HMRC of creating ID cards by stealth after it was revealed the UK taxman has amassed a database of 5.1 million people's voiceprints. The department introduced its Voice ID system in January 2017. This requires taxpayers calling HMRC to record a key phrase, which is used to create a …
BZZZT wrong: The UK will not only keep complying with GPDR but will probably be in the situation of having to run even tighter implementation.
The reason is that as an outsider to the EU the public security requirements that mostly defang GPDR against government bodies will no longer apply to the UK government.
And as a mostly service-based economy, the UK will have no choice but to comply or lose a huge chunk of the countries GDP.
It would be wonderful if we could get rid of GDPR and cookie consent too, then you will actually be able to use a website without having to first accept cookies then click on some privacy agreement thingy that no one ever reads. If only we were given the option to opt out of all that crap.
> If only we were given the option to opt out of all that crap.
You *are* given the option: do not go to websites that don't give a toss about you as an individual and run a charade of compliance with what at the end of the day are perfectly reasonable rules.
The websites that my company operates have a two paragraph privacy policy that simply announces that we do not use cookies, trackers, "analytics" scripts or anything else and that the only way we will get any information about you is if you call us or email us. Information which of course we are happy to share with you or delete at any time. We did not invent this, we stole it from other sites on the web.
What I find hard to believe is people's obsession with all that Google "analytics" crap. Unless you are running a marketing front (e.g., "news" sites such as this and the like) you do not need it and you do not want it. The only ones who are benefiting from it are Google themselves who take advantage of your voyeur tendencies.
> What I find hard to believe is people's obsession with all that Google "analytics" crap
Which doesn't do much more than I was doing with canned log analysis scripts 30 years ago.
In any case, Slurp AnalYtics are blocked by default in most script blockers.
Do No Evil went out the window when they bought DoubleClick. Just like horror movie "The Stuff", what they ate, consumed them from the inside.
"HMRC ... is developing a new process which will be operated on the basis of the explicit consent of the customer."
That means exactly the opposite. By the time Brexit has happened any 'civil rights' (oxymoron warning) of UK citizens subjects HMRC, along with most other departments, will have been able to exempt themselves from any liability.
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I can't begin to describe how infuriating it is being forced into a biometric registration because you absolutely positively must speak to someone at HMRC. Especially when the reason they're threatening immediate court action is because somebody fucked up and put a number in twice. Also, they send out letters demanding action "within 7 days of the date of this letter", and you don't actually receive them until the 7th day. Which in one case was the 31st of January, so you can imagine how much fun that was...
What I will say, though, is if it lets me in when I'm anything short of enraged to the point of spitting then it's probably too lenient.
I accept that they're just trying to do a job that nobody likes, but so many of them are so incompetent at it, or too constrained to be able to help out.
"Mmmh.. Wonder how many of the British 'Elite' are on this latest "
Mmmm ..... given that the richest 1% pay twice as much tax as the poorest 50% it's possible that some of them are, but more probably they pay accountants to look after their tax to make sure they don't pay any more than needed.
> I can't begin to describe how infuriating it is being forced into a biometric registration because you absolutely positively must speak to someone at HMRC.
I have no idea how the system works, but can't you just put the radio on or fart on the phone or something when it's taking the samples? Let's see how good their "AI" is.
can't you just put the radio on or fart on the phone or something when it's taking the samples?
I couldn't say. I didn't try. I was more concerned about getting to speak to someone who could stop the bailiffs turning up at my door.
So, they basically nudged and winked at the strong arm of the law to get everyone to comply.
Also, they send out letters demanding action "within 7 days of the date of this letter", and you don't actually receive them until the 7th day.
I must admit of all the nipple tweaking, cunt twanging practises big business & arse hat organisations like these have adopted over a number of years, this is one of the worst.
Along with those "here to help" slogans.
I can't remember if it was my bank or HMRC, but I was so offended by the lack of an option for an opt-out, I just tried to break the damn thing. It was fun responding:
"Say 'my voice is my id'"
"No"
"I'm sorry, please say the phrase in your normal tone of voice: 'my voice is my id'"
"No fucking way, you bastards"
"I'm sorry, please say the phrase in your normal tone of voice: 'my voice is my id'"
"..."
"I'm sorry, please say the phrase in your normal tone of voice: 'my voice is my id'"
"camel horse fish pot"
"I'm sorry, please say the phrase in your normal tone of voice: 'my voice is my id'"
"I wonder what the error rate on this is"
"I'm sorry, please say the phrase in your normal tone of voice: 'my voice is my id'"
"meow"
.
.
.
(I can't remember how long this went on for)
"I'm sorry, we're having trouble with our service right now, let me put you through to someone who can help'"
"jackpot!"
"Say 'my voice is my id'"
"My voice is my passport. Verify me" would have been much more awesome!
Well, not really. Some years ago calling the Xerox help here in Finland insisted on saying to whether I needed technical support, sales or whatever the options were. The company I work for was a Xerox retailer at the time so I needed to ask for tech support weekly. Never in those couple years did it understand my dictation no matter how clearly or slowly I spoke. In the end I gave up, just mumbled something until it gave up and connected to a Real Person. My colleagues never had success either.
Xerox probably couldn't just discard it because:
a) the person who bought it wouldn't admit failure
b) some people got frustrated and didn't call again
c) they bought non-working tech but they'll cling on to it for a few years just because of the costs.
I can't remember if it was my bank or HMRC, but I was so offended by the lack of an option for an opt-out, I just tried to break the damn thing. It was fun responding:
I applaud your anarchic approach but be careful what you wish for
well, I have long (at least the last ten years?) ignored the "voice" or even pad to enter or key in my this or that piece of bullshit, I just sit through the nonsense, this is the safest and fastest way to get through to a live person. Actually, even quicker, just go for "or any other problem / query / issue". It's quite funny though, it's like in the good old days of hunters/gatherers, you adopt to the changing environment (trolly hunters, etc.)
It is actually a concept in all legal codes I've come across. Basically it means that if for e.g. you hire a plumber to fix your kitchen sink at an approximate time, you have almost no chance of a successful trespass claim if said plumber is on you property anywhere near that time.
That said, I don't see how it would work in this case.
I wonder how many people have a voice ID of:
"Oh, feck off with your nonsense biometric bull-shizzle"
Personally, I tend to just keep silent at things like that and see what the computer makes of it. Voice ID is no more secure than anyone being able to hear any such conversation, ever, which is basically "not secure".
But to be honest, why have 5.1 million people had to call HMRC should be the real question.
"For your continued security please provide us with the answers to these 2 simple questions:
1) What do fish breathe through? (Gill)
2) What is Britain's favourite drink (Tea)
Now, in regards to the outstanding £5000 on your tax account how do you wish to plead?
I have recorded your response of Gill Tea, is that correct?"
Me: I don't want to opt in to your voice recognition service.
Droid: Of course sir, no problem, I'll flag your account. You'll have to use some way to identify yourself though.
Me: OK shouldn't be a problem I'll ... (Droid interrupts)
Droid: Our requirements are that you select a contact office (see attached list) that is at least 30 miles from the address we have for you.
Carrying your mobile so we can check your location. Proceed on foot for at least 80 percent of the distance required. To avoid possible interference no motorized or metallic conveyance should be used from that point.
We suggest you proceed as a pedestrian or on horseback. Please time your journey to arrive at the selected office between 03H15 and 03H54.
On arrival please announce yourself with <secret random passphrase that matched what you wanted you to opt in to>.
Me: But I wanted to register a change of address from Poland to Manchester.
Droid: Then you should have started the process a little earlier. The rules require at most 14 days for change of address notification. I'd suggest you go back to Poland and start walking briskly.
Me: ????
Droid: I'm sure that answers you question sir, have a nice day, goodbye
"To avoid possible interference no motorized or metallic conveyance should be used from that point.
We suggest you proceed as a pedestrian or on horseback."
This would require riding bareback or at least without stirrups, on your unshod horse wearing a bitless bridle.
That is the golden rule of Capita and (we don't give) ATOS: we don't want to screw people who might actually attack us, so we'll just take all the benefits away from those too meek to argue.
Looking after someone who has gone through a truly awful back injury and was judged 'fit to work' by ATOS, trust me: I f*cking celebrate every time I hear another Capita employee has been made redundant or another Capita contract has failed. The world is a better place without these bastards.
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They just sprang it on me with no option to opt out! Annoyed, I tried my Barry White impression which just got a "Sorry I don't speak jive", or somesuch. Then I tried hanging up, hoping I'd lost some kind of phone based lottery but no, same blasted vocal data slurpage into who knows where and for who the hell knows what purpose. Even if they claim to destroy these voiceprints, they'll keep it all squirrelled away because it's too damn (potentially) useful when combined with mass monitoring of phone calls/Voip/street eavesdropping. Or something.
..... which my room mate has made of John Humphries (Radio 4) and Fiona Bruce (BBC TV). It's been fun watching the use of Audacity to edit these into useful chunks and then seeing the phone call to HMRC about tax matters. They're working on Theresa May and Boris Johnson right now. Jeremy Hunt is in the list, and Jacob Rees-Mogg too.
*
Isn't technology wonderful?
When I found out all Passport pictures were captured to a computerised database. I progressively changed my appearance with Photoshop over a few years (I usually have to renew every 12-18 months when filled) until a company biometric scanner rejected me. (The US has donated numerous cams to Third World countries).
Then the renowned money launderers, HSBC, surreptitiously introduced 'voice analysis' - without announcement - although their technicians mentioned it in technical magazines.
There are two practical ways to defeat these 'voice analysis' systems. One is to make calls with a radio or other disruptive variable tones in the background. The other is the use electronic filters to narrow a telephone calls bandwidth (especially raising the bass) or a Tremolo unit to distort the voice.
Mind you, when conversing to an overseas HSBC Call Centre, the lines are so poor the systems don't function.
There is little more personal than biometric data.
"There are two practical ways to defeat these 'voice analysis' systems. One is to make calls with a radio or other disruptive variable tones in the background."
I'm reading this with a large truck reversing outside the window, making a nice loud beep - beep. Hardly my fault if I make the call now.
Puzzled as to why / how you were altering your appearance with Photoshop. Maybe better not to know.
Biometric profiles (of any kind) are regarded as personal data IE used to identify an individual – that is the easy bit over! The global wave of privacy concerns may be the 'Achilles heel' of the ‘convenience’ story proposed by the Biometric movement.
Early experiments with citizen ID systems (too many to mention) did not have quite so many problems as the potential benefits outweighed any downside IE registration and clunky authentication. Now that Biometrics are being deployed to reduce friction of authentication, we are seeing real problems as the persistence of Biometric profiles is mutually exclusive with Privacy!
India has Aadhaar, one of the world’s largest national ID systems is beset with verification problems when using biometrics, recently a process to register with mobile network operators with biometrics was suspended because of ‘Biometric Phishing’!
Privacy concerns are going to be a big issue whenever Biometrics are deployed, the inevitable standardization governing profile (3 – 5 year’s time) will only make things worse, once a Biometric profile is on the dark web, it is gone for life as a reliable credential.