Privacy

Web users worried about privacy can now use a modified version of Firefox that lets them browse the net anonymously. The Torpark browser uses technology backed by digital rights group the Electronic Frontier Foundation. It has been created by Hacktivismo – an international coalition of hackers, human rights workers, lawyers and artists.

The joint parliamentary committee on human rights states: “The information which the bill envisages will be held on the register allows for significant intrusion into private life.”

Following the Government’s loss of millions of confidential records on CDROM, Manchester NO2ID took to the streets to distribute CD-ROMs labelled
“Confidential Data” to the public. The CD wallets contained NO2ID flyers, and information about the HMRC data leak and the threats posed by ID cards and a central identity register.

Following the Government’s loss of millions of confidential records on CDROM, Manchester NO2ID took to the streets to distribute CD-ROMs labelled

Be sure to hide all your data first…

Some experts argue that the National DNA Database’s size and power mean it poses a serious threat to civil liberties.

The Open Rights Group (Org) will serve as a hub for other cyber-rights groups campaigning on digital rights issues. Org emulates US’s Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) digital rights group.
ZDNet reports that Org has centred its focus on the proposed draft EU framework on data retention for ISPs and telecommunications companies which it believes could contravene the European Convention on Human Rights.

In an interview with the Guardian, she goes on to say that her about-swing was due to developments in biometric technology and the ‘opportunities it offers’.

The Information Commissioner stated that UK is in danger of ‘sleepwalking into a surveillance society’. See the arguments..

TV Producer alleges he was held for murder so police could access controversial files.

The Home Affairs Select Committee say details are too thin and there are potential risks to personal freedom.

Privacy International named a U.S. program to fingerprint foreign visitors as the year’s most menacing project, which has been undertaken “with little or no debate or scrutiny.”

MPs will debate the ID Cards Bill on 13 February. Liberty have prepared a briefing detailing their support for amendments made by the House of Lords – including those which ensure the scheme will be compulsory.

Business leaders today voiced support for an identity card scheme for the first time, but warned that the proposed scheme would not be robust enough.

Technology to be incorporated into new UK passports by end 2005 has a 10% failure rate.

Stella Rimington asserted “ID cards may be helpful in all kinds of things but I don’t think they are necessarily going to make us any safer.”

New passport applicants could still have to provide fingerprints despite the government dropping its ID card plans, the Home Office has confirmed.

The House of Lords accepted the amendment that anyone applying for a new biometric passport before January 2010 could opt out of having an ID card. See the latest on campaigning against ID cards and databases in the UK.

Help stop the 2011 census being run by an arms company with close links to the United States government.

The first biometric immigration controls will go live at Heathrow airport this spring.

On June 23 2005, Privacy International will stage the 7th annual UK Big Brother Awards to recognise the people and organisations that have done the most to devastate privacy & civil liberties in the UK.