[Dataloss] Child data breaches in UK

[Henry Brown]

 From the Birmingham England Post: 
http://tinyurl.com/5fuuze

94 child data 'security breaches'
Apr 22 2008

Almost 100 security breaches have been reported to the privacy watchdog 
since the child benefit data loss scandal, it has been revealed.

Information Commissioner Richard Thomas said he has been notified of 94 
data breaches - two-thirds of which were committed by Government or 
other public sector bodies.

The material included a wide range of personal details, including health 
records.

Fourteen losses have been reported by financial institutions since 
November's major gaffe by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), which mislaid 
computer discs carrying details of 25 million child benefit claimants. 
Mr Thomas described the number of incidents as "alarming".

Of the total reported to the commissioner, 62 security breaches were in 
the public sector, 28 were in the private sector and four in the charity 
or third sector.

Of those reported by public sector bodies, almost a third happened in 
central Government and associated agencies, and a fifth in the NHS.

Mr Thomas said: "It is particularly disappointing that the HMRC breaches 
have not prevented other unacceptable security breaches from occurring.

"The Government, banks and other organisations need to regain the 
public's trust by being far more careful with people's personal information.

"Once again I urge business and public sector leaders to make data 
protection a priority in their organisation."

The HMRC scandal involved staff losing two computer discs in their 
internal mail which held the personal details of all families in the 
United Kingdom claiming child benefit. Information included dates of 
birth, National Insurance number, and bank details.