In a new book, “The Glass Consumer – Life in a Surveillance
Society”, the group, whose biggest financial backer is the
Department of Trade and Industry, argues that there has been an
explosion in data capture and use by organisations across the
UK
, and that new ways of tracking lives are emerging
as fast as technology allows.
“We are living in a surveillance society but our data protection
laws aren’t up to the job,” says Ed Mayo,
NCC
chief
executive. “Research consistently shows that many companies fail to
comply with data protection legislation – often unaware of their
legal responsibilities. Giving the
UK
’s personal
information regulator auditing and inspection powers would help
enforce new, tougher laws better.”
ID
pollution, where information held on individuals
is incorrect or out-of-date, is also identified as a problem,
particularly as individuals seldom check whether their details are
correct.
“Only around one in ten has contacted a credit reference agency
to check their credit report, or to ask to see their medical
records,” reveals Mayo. “It’s what we call
ID
neglect.’
NCC’s book argues that
ID
neglect and
ID
pollution can lead to injustice – being
unjustifiably denied a job, insurance or credit, for instance. And
if information security isn’t robust, we run the risk of
ID
theft.
The
NCC
hopes that its book will raise public
awareness of the risks of the growing information economy and
encourage people to check the accuracy of their records and take
greater control of their personal information.
