The Home Office insists the national identity register will be secure

One in 10 citizens trust government with data

Survey highlights public response to data loss scandals

Written by Tom Young

Computing, 25 Mar 2008

Only one in 10 people trust the government with their personal data, according to a survey by ICM Research for supplier Data Encryption Systems (DES).

The survey highlights the extent to which the government's track record on data security has impacted public opinion.

Breaches such as those in HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Association (DVLA) have had a heavy affect on public attitudes towards the national identity card programme.

Of the 72 per cent of people against or ambivalent about ID cards, 93 per cent say this is because the government has a poor track record of looking after citizens’ data.

And 56 per cent do not trust civil servants with their personal data.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said earlier this month that fewer than 100 people will have access to the national identity register, and no details will be kept online.