Lib Dems call for data guardians in public and private sector to
protect information rights
The
Liberal Democrats say they want to create "data guardians" to
protect the information rights of citizens.
The proposal is part of a strategy to safeguard personal data in
the wake of successive government data protection failures, not
least the loss of computer disks at HMRC containing the personal
information of 25 million people.
Under the Liberal Democrat plan, data guardians and other staff
with specific responsibility for data security would be introduced
into the public and private sectors.
They would provide an independent voice and ensure that the
rights of individuals were given adequate protection, said the
party.
In addition, as part of the overall data protection strategy,
funding for the UK Information Commissioner would double.
The Commissioner would also be given new investigative powers to
conduct spot checks on data controllers, as well as being charged
with ensuring the regulatory system keeps pace with technological
changes.
The Liberal Democrats would also require public sector
organisations to conduct "Privacy Impact Assessments" when
developing new e-governance projects.