UK - Poll Shows Huge Oppostion To Databases & Personal Data Retention

[Guest guest]

While I was thinking of the latest Census operation...=============...http://www.theoneclickgroup.co.uk/news.php?start=3220 & end=3240 & view=yes & id=4349#newspostPoll Shows Huge Oppostion To Databases & Personal Data Retention February 22, 2010Poll shows hostility to data retention A poll has revealed an opposition to government storing personal data on the general public.As part of the State of the Nation 2010 poll, which questioned people on the state of politics and government, people were asked their opinions on projects like the national DNA database (NDNAD) and the NHS's National Programme for IT (NPfIT).Results from the poll revealed that large databases used to enhance public services like health and criminal justice were opposed by nearly two-thirds of respondents.More specifically, 55 per cent of respondents said they thought it was bad or very bad for patients records to be held on a "centralised computer system". Only 39 per cent said they thought it was good or very good.Government proposals to monitor communications and store data on phone calls, emails and internet sessions were also met with strong opposition. The poll found 55 per cent thought this was a very bad idea, with another 28 per cent thinking it was a bad idea. Only 9 per cent thought it was good and 3 per cent thought it was very good. A separate question revealed 79 per cent believed in a right to privacy in phone, mail and email communications.Identity cards also saw more opposition than support. The poll found 52 per cent believed it to be a bad or very bad idea and 37 per cent thought it was a good or very good idea.The poll also received a detailed breakdown of opinions on the national DNA database and when it is right or wrong to retain someone's DNA profile.Looking at the latest government policy to store innocents' DNA for six years, 37 per cent strongly opposed the idea compared to 14 per cent that strongly supported it. Allowing police to take DNA from someone before they are charged was also strongly opposed by 31 per cent and strongly supported by 17 per cent.Just 11 per cent strongly supported the police keeping a person's record of arrest permanently, even if they are never charged or convicted. Almost two-thirds opposed or strongly opposed the move.But for people already convicted of a crime, the public's attitude changes. For those convicted of a serious, violent or sexual crime, 92 per cent believed a DNA profile should be stored permanently, with only 5 per cent thinking that it should be retained for a limited time period.Pam Giddy, director of the democracy campaign Power2010.org.uk, said: "People are worried by the power of the state. They want more say in the decisions that affect them, their families and their communities. And they want a stronger parliament that can hold government to account."The poll was commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust and carried out by ICM, with 2,288 British residents over 19 interviewed between 20 January and 7 February. *************