Database plan sparks Big Brother fears


Peter Griffiths of Reuters writes:

Plans to create a national computer database containing millions of people’s personal details will be unveiled on Monday in a move slammed by critics as a further shift towards a “Big Brother” society in Britain.

Prime Minister Tony Blair is due to propose easing data protection laws that make it hard for public bodies to share information, spokesmen for his office and the Department for Work and Pensions said on Sunday.

Ministers say it would improve public services, but opponents fear it will fuel public concern over state “snooping” through security cameras, planned identity cards and computers.

Reuters reports that privacy camapigners and politicians of all parties are lining up to criticise the proposals.

The main source of this story seems to be the BBC, whose web site carries a long piece on the subject, seemingly based on an exclusive off-the-record briefing.