BBC apologises after childrens personal data stolen

Tag : Memory Stick Phone

Objective built up a database of children interested in taking partin the filming and stored the information on memory sticks. The Times understands that the sticks were stolen last month, along with alaptop from a vehicle used by Objective.
After discovering the theft last month, Richard Deverell, the BBCChildren’s Controller, immediately wrote to parents,admitting: “I am sorry to let you know that ObjectiveProductions have informed us that a computer memory stick has gonemissing. The memory stick is likely to have contained theinformation you gave. I know this situation may cause you someconcern. I offer you my sincere apologies and my assurances that weare taking all action possible to mitigate the consequences of thisregrettable incident.”
Mr Deverell offered concerned parents a freephone helpline numberto call, adding: “Let us know should anything happen thatgives you cause for concern.” A BBC spokesman said:“There is no evidence that the data has been misused but wetake the matter extremely seriously. An investigation has begun andour security procedures are being examined.”
Security procedures across BBC programmes, many of which rely onparticipation from viewers who give personal details, are now beingreviewed but the corporation is turning increasingly to independentproduction companies to provide programmes, which reduces thecontrol that BBC executives have over productions.
Production began in May on Gastro- nuts , a 13-part series fronted by Stefan Gates, presenter of the BBCTwo series Cooking in the Danger Zone. The series aims to educate children about the way food is grown,made and marketed. Promised activities include eating scorpions andcooking with a JCB.
The theft is the latest scandal to hit the BBC’sChildren’s Department. Last year the BBC was ordered to pay£50,000 after a studio guest posed as a winner of a Blue Peter phone-in competition. The show is also the subject of an inquiryover the fabrication of a viewers’ poll to name its new cat.
Missing links
—In June secret files on the al-Qaeda threat and Iraqisecurity forces were left on a train by a senior intelligenceofficial. They were found by a passenger
—In December nine NHS trusts admitted losing personalinformation on thousands of patients. One reportedly lost thedetails of 160,000 children
—During the same month, CDs with personal information aboutthousands of benefits claimants were found at the home of a formerDepartment for Work and Pensions contractor
—In November two HM Revenue & Customs discs with thedetails of 25 million people disappeared. The discs contained theentire child benefit database, including claimants’ nationalinsurance numbers and bank account details
—In May last year a Driving Standards Agency disc withdetails of three million candidates for the driving test were lostin the US