Only one in 10 adults in the UK trusts the government
with theirpersonal
data, an online survey reveals.
By contrast, the survey of over 1,000 people by IT security
supplier Data Encryption
Systems (DES) showed 74% were willing to share personal
information with banks, employers and friends.
The level of trust in the government, at 10%, is just one
percentage point higher than trust in online retailers.
DES managing director David Tomlinson said, "With the increasing
dependence on IT and the rise of identity theft, data protection is
no longer just a problem for the CIO, but something everyone has to
consider."
The survey found 41% were in favour of introducing
ID cards in the UK, 40% were against, and 19% undecided.
A report based on an independent review of the ID card scheme by
Sir James Crosby, published on 6 March, raised questions about
the way the system was being rolled out and accused the government
of adopting an "unco-ordinated" approach to identity assurance.
The Crosby report coincided with home secretary Jacqui Smith's
announcement that the government is to delay the widespread
introduction of ID cards until 2012.
Although citizens applying for passports will no longer be
forced to have an ID card, their details will be put on a National
Identity Register.
Of respondents who said they opposed ID cards, 72% said they did
not trust the government to protect their personal data. Most (93%)
said this was because of the government's poor track record of
looking after data.