Daily Archives: March 5, 2007


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I am immensely sad to have to report the death of Chris Lightfoot, NO2ID’s system administrator, campaign stalwart and developer par excellence. Chris was found by friends at his flat on 11th February 2007, and his funeral was held last week. Those of us who knew Chris appreciate how much more than his extraordinary talent for programming he brought to our campaign – and to the other organisations and people with whom he worked. We shall all miss his sharp wit, quick tongue and formidable analytical skills; his wide-ranging, articulate and often highly original contributions; and his passionate commitment to privacy and civil liberties. Chris was a formidable debater and an excellent, amusing and engaging public speaker – but was always happy to muck in with bread-and-butter campaigning tasks like leafletting and manning street stalls. Chris, more than most, understood how important it is that we should all have the […]

in memoriam Chris Lightfoot, 1978 – 2007


Sue Reid writes in the Daily Mail: They are the “safest ever”, according to the Government. But the Daily Mail reveals today how easily a person’s identity can be stolen from new biometric passports. A shocking security gap allows the personal details and photograph in any electronic passport to be copied from the outside of the envelope in which it is delivered to homes. The passport holder is none the wiser when it arrives because the white envelope has not been tampered with or opened. Using a simple gadget built from parts bought on the Internet, it took the Mail less than four hours to copy the details from one passport. It had been delivered in the normal way by national courier company Secure Mail Services to a young woman in Islington, North London. With her permission we took away the envelope containing her passport and never opened it. By […]

‘Safest ever’ passport is not fit for purpose