Dundee LibDems express concern about personal data breaches affecting thousands of Scots (Dundee Liberal Democrats)

Dundee Liberal Democrats <info@dundeelibdems.org.uk>

Dundee LibDems express concern about personal data breaches affecting thousands of Scots

March 16, 2008 6:22 AM

Robert Brown MSP

Dundee LibDems today (Sunday 16th March) expressed concern about personal data breaches affecting thousands of people in Scotland, as recently uncovered by BBC Scotland's Investigations Unit.

This concerning news was revealed through Freedom of Information requests to NHS boards, local authorities and police forces, and included lost patient notes, information on sex offenders and compromised payroll data.

Liberal Democrat Chief Whip in the Scottish Parliament, Robert Brown MSP, said, "BBC Scotland's findings are extremely concerning as these breaches may have affected thousands of people.

"It is entirely unacceptable for the Scottish Government to refuse to become involved because it does not want to micromanage. This is a national scandal and I will not allow it to be swept under the carpet."

Locally, here in Dundee, City Council Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Cllr Fraser Macpherson, said, "It is important that the Scottish Government takes an active role in ensuring there can be no repeat of this, but there are concerns about its willingness to take the proper steps.

"It is simply unacceptable that personal data breaches affecting thousands of Scots has taken place."