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ID pollution, where information held on individuals is incorrect or out-of-date, is also identified as a problem, particularly as individuals seldom check whether their details are correct.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.
