WRITTEN ON December 22nd, 2008 BY William Heath AND STORED IN Data nitwittery, Foundation of Trust, Identity, What do we want?
Hang on. Bob Quick says that by making it clear where he lives (in a leak to the loathsome MoS) the Tories have put the lives of his family at risk, because of the nature of his job. But putting our explicit details on ContactPoint (circ 450,000) and on the NHS secondary uses service (circ 1m or so) and the National ID register (circ all IPS’s maktes inthe pub) keeps society safe. I’m not sure I entirely get this.
To look on the bright side, perhaps police sensitivity about their own privacy is a starting point from which we can agree that it matters for everyone.
2 Responses to “Is publishing people’s addresses safe or not?”
Well, the government in the shape of “Companies House” – formerly part of DTI – demands that I supply and keep up to date, my full name, date of birth and full home address etc.; or face heavy fines and possibly a criminal record. Companies House happily sells all this information and even a facsimile of my signature to anyone (presumably including criminals etc.) who asks.
I can see no legitimate reason for anyone needing this information. I can see no reason for not abolishing Companies House.
If only it were that straightforward. Unfortunately authoritarianism and particularism tend to go together. Insiders assume themselves to be more in need of protection than outsiders.