Dear First name / #Together Supporter
Together was first formed in response to what arguably amounted to an attempt to force mandatory Digital ID on the public, in the shape of “Covid Pass.”
In this area, the Government's new “Consultation on draft legislation to support identify verification” may sound reassuringly boring - but in fact what is proposed appears to pose huge, unnecessary risks to citizens, even down to kids as young as 13.
For background, video blogger Richard Vobes has a good overview
here, and
this article is also good for getting an idea of some key issues. This “consultation” has barely been publicised, and the time to complete it is extremely short - both of which are rather alarming.
This consultation closes SOON… so please do this TODAY:
STEP 1: OPEN UP A BLANK EMAIL, USING CORRECT SUBJECT LINE
Yes, there is a form online to complete but today, we recommend you EMAIL your response.
(We will provide guidance on completing the online form another day.)
Important - this BELOW is the SUBJECT LINE you must use, please COPY & PASTE IT:
Response to the consultation on the data sharing for identity verification services
STEP 2: THEN USE THIS EMAIL ADDRESS:
STEP 3: WRITE YOUR OWN MESSAGE (always best if you can do this), OR USE / ADAPT OURS BELOW (include your name and address at the end)
I totally reject the proposed "legislation to support digital identity verification." It appears to be a gross intrusion into the privacy of the individual, and a monumental security and safety risk that would endanger members of the public right down to children as young as 13.
It sounds as though all Government departments, Local Authorities and even schools would be sharing highly personal information on citizens - including data as sensitive as income, photos and email addresses.
All this would then potentially be accessible to almost anyone working for the state AND "any organisation" working WITH Government. Can this possibly be true?
Data sharing of personal, sensitive data will open us up to abuse and discrimination.
Do you think it appropriate to run a public 'consultation' on what would represent a radical change in the way citizens control how their data may be used by the state, that almost no-one knows about, and lasting just 8 weeks?
Do you really intend for this to be imposed - with little if any Parliamentary scrutiny - by December?
Government has an appalling record of large scale IT projects and data security. Ministers also repeatedly denied "Covid passes" would be introduced, before they were, so distrust has been earned. In Scotland, the Information Commissioner's Office even found the scheme introduced there broke the law.
This proposal puts the public at risk and leads to greater surveillance, unnecessary monitoring and huge potential to be used in an authoritarian way by the state.
This appears to be legislation that comes with enormous risks to the safety not only of adult citizens but of children as young as 13. It should be scrapped.
STEP 4: POST THE FOLLOWING ON SOCIAL MEDIA
(ALSO TAG YOUR MP AT THE END IF POSSIBLE, SO THEY HEAR ABOUT THIS)
Govt's "Consultation" around ID verification creates massive concerns
Do we want income, photos & email addresses of citizens down to age 13, sharable with anyone who works for Govt & "any organisation" working WITH Govt?
No we do not @alexburghart @cabinetofficeuk
Don't know how to tag your MP? Here's how to do it on
Twitter and on
Facebook.
We will say more on this soon - but that's it for today, THANK YOU!
Please join Together as a member so we can campaign more strongly
If you aren't yet a Together member, please consider joining us so we can do more. We campaign for fundamental rights and to give the public a voice when all too often it feels as though we are being dictated to by technocrats whose aims do not align with the needs of ordinary people.
Membership is the primary way Together is able to keep going and campaigning.
There are various options to suit different people but every member helps - you can find out more and join HERE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUING SUPPORT
We are always strong and better #together!
