Monday February 23rd 2015
Leader of the Scottish Lib Dems Willie Rennie MSP has accused the SNP of treating concerns over the creation of a new super ID database with “breathtaking indifference”.
His comments come after Deputy First Minister John Swinney sought to play down fears over the privacy implications of plans to allow 120 public bodies to access information held in an extended NHS database.
SNP Ministers have failed undertake a crucial privacy impact assessment of the controversial plans and a limited public consultation on the changes is set to close next week.
Mr Rennie will be tabling parliamentary questions to put further pressure on the SNP to undertake the work needed to identify the risks of a central database register.
Speaking to members in Fife today, Mr Rennie said:
“The SNP are showing breathtaking indifference to concerns over their super ID database plans. These changes would see a massive expansion in the number of people who can access private information from a database that includes our health records.
“The SNP campaigned with us against similar plans when Labour put them forward but it seems that they no longer care about protecting our right to privacy.
“Campaigners have been clear that the super ID database plans pose a real risk to our personal information. There are legitimate fears that this could be the first step towards introducing ID cards by the back door.
“Pushing these proposals through on the basis of what many people consider a sham consultation is simply not good enough. We need to see a proper Privacy Impact Assessment carried out and published before any final decision is taken.”
Article published on Midlothianlibdems.org.uk
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