Lost Data Creates Scandal in UK Government Dept.

By Greg McNevin

November 21, 2007: A startling case of lost data has surfaced in the UK this week, with HM Revenue and Customs losing discs containing the details of over 15 million benefit recipients during shipping.

According to sources from the BBC, the discs were in transit between Washington and London when it was lost by a courier. The loss has potentially exposed the private information of 15 million Child Benefits Agency benefit recipients, around 25 million people and 7.25 million families all up.

The discs reportedly contained details such as names, addresses, dates of birth and most worryingly, bank account information. Further to this, while there the discs were passworded it is unclear if the data they contain was encrypted.

According to the BBC, government ministers have known about the problem for 10 days now, prompting questions as to why the public were not informed of the issue earlier.

The discs were reportedly being transported in a manner that breached government data protection rules an internal inquiry into is currently underway. Chancellor Alistair Darling is expected to make an announcement regarding the results of this probe shortly, as well as stipulate what measures are in place and what steps are being taken to protect the people who have potentially had their private data disclosed.

So far the fallout from the missing data disaster has claimed at least one head, with Paul Gray, the chairman of the organisation, stepping up to take the blame and announcing his resignation.

The department believes that there the risk of the data actually being exposed is low, however, Chancellor Darling recommends that those affected should check their bank statements carefully. HM Revenue and Customs says that anyone who does suffer loss or identity fraud as a result of this problem will be reimbursed.

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