HMRC to sell taxpayers' data
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/apr/18/hmrc-to-sell-taxpayers-data
An interesting one as I wonder where the public benefits would be. I do remember reading in Sweden that you can see anyones tax record if you want to and that keeps people honest although that is slightly different from what is being proposed.
Do we believe that the Government/HMRC can keep it anonymised and choose the companies buying the data being restricted to the public good?
Should people's dealings with HMRC and the tax they pay be open to scrutiny to any member of the British public? Should I have the right to be able to see how much tax my next door neighbour pays compared to his earnings?
An interesting one as I wonder where the public benefits would be. I do remember reading in Sweden that you can see anyones tax record if you want to and that keeps people honest although that is slightly different from what is being proposed.
Do we believe that the Government/HMRC can keep it anonymised and choose the companies buying the data being restricted to the public good?
Should people's dealings with HMRC and the tax they pay be open to scrutiny to any member of the British public? Should I have the right to be able to see how much tax my next door neighbour pays compared to his earnings?
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Comments
It says that the data would be anonymised so you wouldn't be able to compare your earnings with anyone else's.
But I cannot see this happening. It is a totally unacceptable idea imo.
Its not unacceptable because it already happens in a non-profit making way, but it depends if its done for a singular person or a range of person data. Working in a department which also deals with anonymised data, it something which is more than workable. Its second nature to us, as its the nature of our work, and the data cannot be traced back to any one person, or small group of people, and doesn't include data such as postcodes for example.
We don't sell it though, but people who balk at the idea shouldn't. After all, departmental budgets are being cut (and I mean, drastically cut, we haven't got money ro run most of our planned projects this year), and the departments still need to operate. One idea which has been put about amongst governmental departments is to see how you can raise your own funds, so no surprise to see this idea aired. As I said, it depends on the data itself on whether its a good thing or not. Range of person data, no problem, but singular person data, more problematical.
It's been all about feathering their own nest, and helping their friends get rich. With no concern whatsoever about what is best for the UK, the UK economy or even what is best for the Conservative party.
I think it's excellent news and should generate a lot of cash to help fix the deficit.
the problem is data is rarely as anonymised as people think.
Closeted lesbian sues Netflix for privacy invasion
'Brokeback Mountain factor'
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/12/21/netflix_privacy_flap/
Basically Netflix released some anonymised data that was intended to be used to help people design an algorithm that would improve their 'recommended for you' suggestions. problem was some security researchers discovered that by comparing to the timings of IMDB ratings they could work out who the people actually were.
in essence it is very often possible to compare anonymised data to other data sets and find a correlation.
It won't be anonymous at all. Why would private firms have any interest in that?
No true Conservative would betray the country so comprehensively as these people in power keep doing. They more remind me of the New Labour crowd, taken to extremes.
It already happens with the DVLA, where if you don't supply the information to them, you are breaking the law.
Now they want to flog off NHS data about us all, and now HMRC.
Are meant accept an assurance from the gov. that such information will not make any one identifiable and that gov. departments are very secure in looking after sensitive data.
It's not like it's been found in park bins or strewn across a roundabout before is it?
I forgte the figures on how many gov.laptops have been lost and stolen, but it's a fair few.
May as well just privatise the House of Commons and House of Lords and have it all over and done with.
About time people realised this. Our government are corrupt like never before.
Labour are merely quasi-fascists led by a man made of cardboard. That's a step up in my view.
I didn't realise there was a direct correlation between CT and a company's activities nor that Companies were only financed by equity.
See:
http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=15289
Yes its a long vid, but interesting and an eye opener.
This is why release of data, be it health or HMRC. The more data out their the easier it is.