Two computer discs holding the personal details of all families in the UK with a child under 16 have gone missing.
The Child Benefit data on them includes name, address, date of birth, National Insurance number and, where relevant, bank details of 25 million people.
25 million people.
Shall we paraphrase for the future?
From 2012:
Two computer discs holding the personal details of all PAYE taxpayers in the UK have gone missing.
The data on them includes name, address, date of birth, National Insurance number and, where relevant, employers, salaries and bank details of 25 million people.
The important additional element is, of course, that you’ll be able to download a file from the internet (or query a search engine), to get details of how much EVERYONE earns and where they earn it.
Your can find out the salary of your ex, your kids, your parents, the people next door, your boss, your next date, the guy who’s selling you a car, that lazy sod who has the same job title as you but does half the work.
Are you comfortable with that? That your ex, your kids, your parents, the people next door, your boss, your next date, the guy who’s selling you a car, that lazy sod who has the same job title as you, will all know precisely how much you earn?
Unlucky enough to end up in the papers? if it’s in the public domain, however that maybe, the information will be reported by someone, whether it’s a blogger or journalist.
Take comfort though, because back in 2007,
The Conservatives described the incident as a "catastrophic" failure.
So I think we’re safe. Oh yes. No doubt in my mind.
AJ
Al Jahom's Final Word 
Good post.
The only things you can absolutely guarantee, where the government and your information is concerned, is that they will a) get it wrong and b) fucking lose it.
Incompetence. It’s a qualification if you want a government job.
CR.