NO2ID News No. 107

25 September 2008

BULLY-BOY STATE PICKS ON SOFT TARGETS

Desperate to shore up support for the ID scheme, the Home Secretary this week brandished a new plastic card to be issued to some foreign residents from November, calling it an "ID card" for foreign nationals. This cynical branding exercise with its sly appeal to xenophobia should fool no-one.

Having failed to convince industry and employers, the unions and the public at large that ID cards are necessary or desirable, the government has resorted to picking on soft targets - anonymous individuals seeking marriage visas or education - those who have no choice but to keep quiet and comply. And if the statements of junior minister Meg Hiller at Labour Party conference are to be believed, they also intend to target children as young as 14.

Ministers try to give the impression that their National Identity Scheme is inevitable It is not. All the opposition parties are committed to scrapping it and, without the National Identity Register (the database at the heart of the scheme) and with the repeal of the Identity Cards Act we can - and shall - go back to being a free country.

FREEDOM NOT FEAR

On October 11th, freedom-loving people across Europe will be holding a day of protest against the current *international* assault on privacy and civil liberties. NO2ID, the Open Rights Group and others in the UK will be participating with an action in London that YOU can join from anywhere in the UK by simply sending us a photo.

We would like you to send us a picture of 'the database state' in YOUR life. We want images of the signs of mass surveillance, and any form of intrusive ID or state control - cameras, cards, scanners, forms, whatever you like. Take a photograph with your (digital) camera or mobile phone and send a copy to FreedomNotFear@no2id.net

And on October 11th keep any eye out for the big picture...

Many thanks for your Database State stories
Many thanks to all those who have sent their stories of how the database state has affected them. NO2ID is in the middle of putting together a comprehensive briefing document which explains the concept of 'The Database State' and sets out in plain language exactly why it's such bad news for everyone of us in this country. Anyone who would still like to contribute should contact us initially by email at local.groups@no2id.net and we can proceed in the manner most convenient for you. Of course, NO2ID is a privacy organisation and any stories will be treated in the strictest confidence.

What just happened?

Government spins ID scheme by re-announcing "ID cards for foreigners"

Today the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith closed the Labour Party conference by re-announcing "ID cards for foreigners". In fact a system of biometric visas is being introduced for some foreign residents from November but it is not really part of the National Identity Scheme which hasn't been built yet! This fact has not stopped the government using the words "ID cards", together with a sly appeal to xenophobia to drum up support for its unpopular scheme. It seems the BBC knows a thing or two - halfway down an item 'Foreign national ID card unveiled' on its website, there is a video box labelled "How an identity card will work". Knowledge-hungry surfers who clicked the little arrow were confronted with a black screen. It bore the words "This content doesn't seem to be working. Try again later."

NO2ID has an identity crisis at Labour conference

NO2ID's national co-ordinator Phil Booth was unable to get into a Labour Party conference fringe meeting this week because he couldn't get an ID card! Phil was due to debate the ID scheme with Home Office minister Meg Hillier but Labour's pass office in Manchester told him there had been a problem with his application and it would cost him £600 for a temporary pass to enter the conference for an hour! If this is how they organise ID for their own party conference it makes you wonder how the are they going to organise ID cards for 50 million people.

They're coming for your kids - Part 2

This week Meg Hillier told a Labour party conference fringe meeting (the one Phil Booth couldn't get into) that she saw no reason why ID cards couldn't be given to children as young as 14. The Identity and Passport Service has since denied that plans are afoot to lower the age from 16 (as laid out in the ID cards act). Hillier also hinted at attempts to fetter future governments when she said: "There isn't an easy way to unpick this [ID] scheme", and going on to claim, "quite rightly because it is invaluable". Meanwhile Action on Right for Children has put in a Freedom of Information request for the full security review of the government's children's database Contactpoint, following publication of the executive summary and the recent controversy over problems with "shielding" records of vulnerable (see last newsletter).

Germany to renationalise ID producer

Private-sector manufacture of passports and ID cards is too risky, the German government has decided. ID producer Bundesdruckerei, which was privatised eight years ago, is to be bought back by the taxpayer for an undisclosed sum. The move will "safeguard national security interests," the firm says. Its renationalisation "meets a security requirement for awarding Bundesdruckerei GmbH the contract to produce the electronic identity card". The company has been making German ePassports since 2005. ID cards are compulsory in Germany, which plans to phase in eID from 2010. Bundesdruckerei will build a new production plant in Berlin, at a cost of "up to 50 million Euro" (almost £40m).

Data leaks - they're happening everywhere

The dangers of assigning a unique identifier (like the UK National Identity Register number) to every citizen have become all too clear in Norway. Each year, the tax department there sends the media a list of all the country"s taxpayers, and the amount of tax paid. But this time, the CD received by journalists also links each person"s details to the "birth number" that follows every Norwegian from the cradle to the grave. "We've no idea how it happened," a spokesperson said. Large-scale identity theft is now a real possibility.

What's next?

Consultation on Data Retention Directive
The government has launched a consultation on the Electronic Communications Data Retention (EC Directive) Regulations. Responses should be sent by 31st October by e-mail to commsdata@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk or by post to Andrew Knight, Home Office, 5th Floor, Peel Building, 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF.
See http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/cons-2008-transposition?view=Binary

New consultation on Connection for Health and secondary uses of patient data
"NHS Connecting for Health are gathering people's views to help them make important decisions about the ways the NHS can use information it collects about patients. Such patient data is mainly used to provide care and treatment but can also have additional uses such as research, auditing the quality and safety of care, management planning, etc. This consultation is focusing on additional uses." Responses should be sent to Chrissy Brand (FREEPOST RRXB-TTRR-HJGB, Tribal Consulting, Palatine Road, Manchester, M22 4DB) by 10th December.
See http://www.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk/systemsandservices/research/consultation

LOCAL GROUPS NEWS

The size, influence and activity of NO2ID's local group network is unique amongst single-issue campaigning and is growing all the time. Groups raise awareness of the work of NO2ID, inform their local politicians and journalists about the depth of the ID scheme and provide us with our now main method of attracting new members and supporters. Their work is vital and effective and enables us to maintain a relatively high local media presence that many campaigning groups envy. To see if there's a group in your area check our list at http://www.no2id.net/localGroups/
Or, if you're interested in starting a group yourself, please contact Matty on local.groups@no2id.net to discuss what's involved and what we have in place to support coordinators and their groups.

HELP NEEDED - NO2ID LONDON GROUPS
NO2ID groups in London are looking for someone to be an 'events spotter'. The idea is that this person would keep an eye on upcoming happenings at which it might be good for London groups to hold stalls. We're thinking fetes, festivals, political events, talks, community action groups, that sort of thing, but anything where we might be able to reach more potential London supporters would be excellent. It would be primarily an email based role, but London coordinators meet once every three months to discuss tactics, trade advice etc and the events spotting person would be very welcome to attend. Please email Matty Mitford on local.groups@no2id.net for more info.

Birmingham

30th September - Birmingham NO2ID Meeting
Tuesday, 30th September 7.30pm at Bennett's Bar at the junction of Bennett's Hill and Waterloo Street, postcode B2 5RS, in the city centre. At this month's meeting we have a special guest speaker, National Co-ordinator Phil Booth, fresh from the Labour and Conservative Party Conferences, who will offer advice and take questions from local supporters.

Bradford

8th October - Bradford NO2ID Meeting (2nd Wednesday of the month)
Every second Wednesday of the month 6:30pm at Bradford Resource Centre, 17-21 Chapel Street, Bradford, BD1 5DT.

Bristol

1st October - Bristol NO2ID meeting
Wednesday, 1st October at Deco Lounge on Cotham Hill from 7 - 8pm. Come and meet your friendly local campaigners on the first Wednesday of every month.

Cambridge

1st - October NO2ID pub meeting (1st Wednesday of each month)
Wednesday, 1st October 7.30pm at the Salisbury Arms, 76 Tenison Rd, Cambridge CB1 2DW (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=cb1 2dw). For more details contact cambridge@no2id.net, or text/call Andrew on 07710 469624.

4th October - NO2ID Cambridge Stall
Saturday, 4th October at 10am in the usual spot outside Cambridge Guildhall. Location Map: http://tinyurl.com/eo42r. As ever, volunteers to help very welcome - please email cambridge@no2id.net, or text/call Alex on 07811 917096 if you can make it.

12th October - "Taking Liberties"
Sunday, 12th October 8pm at 22 Jesus Lane, Cambridge CB5 8BQ. Doors open 7:30pm. Cambridge NO2ID and the Cafe Project (http://www.cafeproject.org/) are co-hosting a free showing of the acclaimed documentary "Taking Liberties". For more information on the film see http://www.noliberties.com/

Camden and Islington

7th October - Camden and Islington NO2ID Meeting (Now 1st Tuesday of the month)
Tuesday, 7th October at 8pm, at our regular venue, The Castle, 54 Pentonville Road, London. We'll try and sit at the big table on the top level at the back of the pub - if not, just look for the table with the NO2ID flyers. Nearest tube is either Angel or Kings Cross. (http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/clubs_bars/venue-2471.php). Please note: Our meeting days have changed from 1st Mondays to 1st Tuesdays.

Please join our mailing list to keep up with our activities: http://www.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.camden

Cromer

6th October - Cromer NO2ID Meeting (1st Monday of each month)
Monday, 6th October at 7:30pm, at The White Horse Inn, West Street, Cromer.

Deptford

4th October - NO2ID Deptford Street Stall
Saturday, 4th October in the morning on Deptford High Street. At our last stall we took about 70 signatures. More details from deptford@no2id.net

Dorking

30th September - Dorking NO2ID Social
Tuesday, 30th September from 7:30pm - everyone invited to a social in the Lincoln Arms.

7th October - Dorking NO2ID Meeting *CANCELLED* (usually 1st Tuesday of Month)
Tuesday, 7th October - monthly meeting in October cancelled %u2013 instead everyone invited to a social in the Lincoln Arms on 30th September from 7.30pm.

Dover

27th September - NO2ID Dover Street Stall
Saturday, 27th September from around 10am in FOLKESTONE located in the Sandgate Road precinct, at corner of Westcliff Gardens, weather permitting. All help from local members and supporters welcome. Please contact Ian Taylor at dover@no2id.net if you can be there, or need to arrange transport.

Edinburgh

Saturdays 1pm - 3pm - NO2ID Edinburgh street stall
Every week, weather permitting, you will find our campaigning stall at the east end of Princes Street, opposite the Balmoral Hotel. Do drop by for a chat. New volunteers - please contact John (edinburgh@no2id.net), and for more group information see http://www.no2id-scotland.net/edinburgh/

8th October - Edinburgh NO2ID Meeting (* room and start time changed *)
Wednesday, 8th October at 7.45pm in the Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2JL - NB in the Meeting Room. The meeting will be the first since the Home Office "Consultation" at which nine NO2ID demonstrators were arrested. There will be a full report and discussion of the protest, the arrests and what has happened since. Please note that the room and start time have had to be changed since the first announcement. All are welcome at the meeting, as always.

Epsom

Epsom had their first street stall collecting 161 petition signatures in the wind and rain. Next meeting TBA. Still looking for a group coordinator to take things forward quicker. If you are local and can help in any way, please get in touch with Geoff at epsom@no2id.net

Glasgow

Most Saturdays 2pm - NO2ID Glasgow street stall
Most Saturdays there are stalls in Glasgow city centre (usually Buchanan Street) from about 2pm. Volunteers are always welcome, please contact Geraint if you would like to help: glasgow@no2id.net

7th October - Glasgow NO2ID Meeting
Tuesday, 7th October at 8pm in Mono. All welcome.

NEW NO2ID Group for Glasgow University Students and Staff
A new NO2ID group has been formed at Glasgow University. Staff or students interested in getting involved should contact Stephen at GU@glasgow-no2id.org.uk or join the mailing list directly at (http://lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/glasgow-students). The first meeting will be held on Monday 29th at 19:00 in Usige Beatha on Woodlands Road. There is a map available at (http://www.glasgowonline.co.uk/info/26603/). This is only a temporary meeting place and time until we get on our feet. If anyone knows somewhere better they can bring it up at the meeting. We will be discussing allocation of funds as well as many other exciting things, and having a few drinks... We hope as many of you can make it as possible.

Students at other universities or colleges in the city who would like to set up a similar group are encouraged to contact Geraint at Glasgow@NO2ID.net

Hammersmith and Fulham

Local coordinator, Brian Mooney, is keen to hear from anyone who can help him with generating activity in the Hammersmith & Fulham area. Brian welcomes your thoughts and your questions, and can be contacted via: hammersmith@no2id.net or on 07976 414913

If you are interested in the work of the Hammersmith and Fulham group, please join the mailing list on: http://lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.hammersmith-and-fulham

Maidstone

16th October Maidstone NO2ID meeting
Thursday, 16th October, at 6.30pm, at The Muggleton Inn, High St, Maidstone.

Manchester

For updates and discussion, join the Manchester NO2ID mailing list at http://manchester.no2id.net/

Manchester NO2ID unleash a new weapon in the war against the database state
See http://manchester.no2id.net/story/stop-id-cards-and-database-cake

Students Against ID at Manchester University ramps up for an energetic new year with 300 members at Freshers' Fair
See http://manchester.no2id.net/students

Manchester NO2ID at the Labour Party Conference
Manchester NO2ID and the British Computer Society ran a successful public meeting "Privacy and Security in the Database State" with Phil Booth of NO2ID and Becky Hogge from the Open Rights Group. Labour Party Conference delegates claimed to be largely opposed to ID cards in a straw poll conducted by Manchester NO2ID supporters as they flyered the conference queue each morning of conference.

11th October - Manchester NO2ID Street Stall
Saturday, 11th October 2pm-4pm in St. Anne's Square, Manchester. Newcomers, committed and curious welcome.

15th October - Manchester NO2ID meeting
Wednesday, 15th October 7pm-9pm in the upstairs function room of the Town Hall Tavern, Tib Lane, Manchester.

Mold

6th October - NO2ID Mold Meeting (1st Monday of every month)
Monday, 6th October at Y Delyn Wine Bar, King Street, Mold, CH7 1LA. Contact Sophie McKeand on mold@no2id.net or join the mailing list at: http://lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.mold

Newcastle

1st October - NO2ID Newcastle Relaunch Meeting (and the 1st Wednesday of month thereafter)
Wednesday, 1st October from 7.30pm at Centre Against Unemployment, 4 Cloth Market, Newcastle, NE1 1EE and every first Wednesday after that, same venue and time. Everyone is welcome, newcomer or not, curious or committed. Bring a friend. Further details: Nathan Allonby on newcastle@no2id.net

If you're unable to attend but are interested in the activity of the group, please join the Newcastle mailing list on: http://www.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.newcastle

Oxford
27th September - NO2ID Oxford Street Stall
Saturday, 27th September from 11am for a couple of hours on Cornmarket Street, Oxford. It helps if you let us know if you%u2019re going to lend a hand so drop us an email if you fancy coming along (oxford@no2id.net)

2nd October - Oxford NO2ID Meeting (1st Thursday of month)
Thursday, 2nd October 8pm at the Mitre on the High Street in Oxford. More details at http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/1104777

Plymouth

27th September - Plymouth NO2ID Street Stall
Saturday 27th September from 9:00am - 5:00pm at Armada Way, Plymouth City Centre. If you're interested in helping with the stall, contact Simon on plymouth@no2id.net. For more information about the group, please join the mailing list on http://lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.plymouth

Selby

27th September - Selby NO2ID Street Stall, York
Saturday, 27th September 10.30am in Parliament Street, York.

12st October - Selby NO2ID Meeting
Tuesday, 21st October 8pm at the Blue Bell, Monk Fryston.

Shrewsbury

18th October - Shrewsbury NO2ID street stall
Saturday, 18th October (weather permitting) between 10.30am and 1.30pm on Pride Hill. Drop by and say hello - if you can stay a little longer you are welcome to help by handing out leaflets and chatting to people.

20th October - Shrewsbury NO2ID pub Meeting (3rd Monday of the month)
Monday, 20th October 7.15pm until about 9pm we will be meeting at the Armoury, Victoria Quay, Victoria Avenue, Welsh Bridge, Shrewsbury (see www.armoury-shrewsbury.co.uk). Look for a table with NO2ID leaflets scattered around it. Most of us will be eating, or just come for a drink. The St Austin's Street car park behind the Armoury is free of charge after 8pm.

Southampton

1st October - Southampton NO2ID Meeting (1st Wednesday of the month)
Wednesday 3rd October 8pm at the Dolphin pub, Osborne Road South, Southampton (next to St Denys train station). All are welcome. Email Sharni, shoshannah@gmail.com for more info/directions.

2nd October - Screening of "Taking Liberties" hosted by Southampton NO2ID
Thursday, 2nd October 7.30pm at The Art House, 81a Bedford Place Southampton. Booking required: please phone 02380 238582 or email info@thearthousesouthampton.co.uk No fee but donations welcome.

Tonbridge & Tunbridge Wells

Please do drop by at one of our forthcoming stalls, or even volunteer to help (we break you in gently!) . We will soon be starting monthly pub-based meetings for the winter - watch this space.

27th September - Street Stall Tunbridge Wells
Saturday, 27th September 11.00 - 13:00 at pedestrian precinct, opposite Victoria Centre shopping centre. If you want to help please do drop us a line at tunbridge.wells@no2id.net.

4th October - First-ever Sevenoaks Stall !!
Saturday, 4th October 11.00 - 13:00, location to be decided. If you want to help please do drop us a line at tunbridge.wells@no2id.net.

16th October - "The Database State" debate
Thursday, 16th October 7.30pm at The Skinners' School, St John's Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9PG. Greg Clark MP will chair two teams of students quizzing Daniel Zeichner (Labour Party Spokesman) and Phil Booth (National Coordinator of NO2ID). We are still in active discussions with Meg Hillier's office regarding this event, and hope very much that Ms Hillier will be game for an open, public debate on the topic. Watch this space.

Watford

7th October - Watford NO2ID 1st Meeting
Tuesday, 7th October, 7.15pm at the Estcourt Tavern pub, Estcourt Rd, WD1 2PY (parallel to Clarendon Rd, just up from Watford Junction rail station). Everyone is welcome, newcomer or not, curious or committed. Please bring a friend. For further details feel free to contact Emma or Tony Simmons on (watford@no2id.net). If you're unable to attend, but are interested in the activity of the group, please join the local mailing list on: http://lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.watford

"ID" in the news

Anger as Jacqui Smith prepares to unveil ID card design - The Telegraph 25/9/08
The design of the Government's controversial ID card is to be unveiled by Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, in what critics have labelled a "softening up exercise" to win public approval.
http://tinyurl.com/42ncxx

Deadlock over ID card move - Financial Times 24/9/08
Talks over the summer have failed to resolve the deadlock over plans for an accelerated introduction of identity cards to airport staff, the Financial Times has learnt %u2013 a situation that threatens to derail government efforts to push ahead with a national roll-out.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0166b804-8a7c-11dd-a76a-0000779fd18c.html

Migrant ID cards to be unveiled - The Sun 24/9/08
The first ID card for foreign nationals will be unveiled by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith tomorrow. The credit card-like pass will replace stickers and other immigration documents which have been subject to fraud.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1727728.ece

Scotland reviews rules on DNA - Kable 23/9/08
A two month consultation exercise will consider proposals to allow police to retain forensic evidence taken from suspects who are dealt with by a fine, compensation or work order, rather than prosecuted in courts.
http://www.kablenet.com/kd.nsf/FrontpageRSS/2DB0A2EC59F4DFE5802574CD0044C3C8!OpenDocument

Labour minister says 14 year olds should get ID cards - The Register 23/9/08
A government minister has spoken glowingly of the prospect of kids as young as six handing over their biometrics as she boasted that the Tories and LibDems would find it impossible to unpick the government%u2019s ID card scheme.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/09/23/id_cards_offies/

ePassport tests put biometrics through their paces - The Register 19/9/08
Results have emerged from tests held in Prague last week designed to put 'second-generation' electronic passports through their paces, and guess what - no-one failed. The tests are partly designed to address recent security and privacy concerns about electronic passports that feature RFID chips containing biometric data.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/09/19/eu_epassport_tests/

Government whittles down ID scheme suppliers - ZDNet 17/9/08
The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) has further whittled down the companies shortlisted to deliver parts of the ID card system and passport-application scheme.
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/security/0,1000000189,39489326,00.htm

Anger as car journey data stored - Evening Standard 15/9/08
Civil liberties campaigners have expressed alarm that millions of car journeys are to be stored on a national database for five years. Already some 10 million journeys a day are being recorded using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR), but this is set to rise to 50 million. It will be collated at a new National ANPR Data Centre in Hendon, north London, for use by police.
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23555544-details/Anger as car journey data stored/article.do

(Please send me any items of interest you encounter - Editor(newsletter@no2id.net) )

Publication details: © NO2ID 2010 - This document may be freely redistributed in one-to-one communications or physical copies as long as it is reproduced in its entirety including this notice. It may not be mass-mailed without the prior permission of NO2ID.
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