What is the database state?

The 'database state' is what we call the tendency to try to use computers to manage society by watching people. There are many interlocking government plans that do this. Together they mean officials poking into YOUR private life more than ever before.

All the databases could be linked to, or indexed by, the National Identity Register (NIR) that is the main aim of the 'ID cards' scheme. Your NIR number would be the key to your whole life. And by "information sharing", what you tell one public servant could be passed to anyone. The government name: "Transformational Government" sounds nicer — until you understand what is being transformed is not government but its power over you.

Currently the planned systems include:

• ID interrogation centres, for passports and ID cards
• ePassports that help collect data about your travel for...
• International eBorders schemes that exchange Passenger Name Record information with foreign countries as well as collecting them
• Recording of all car journeys, using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)
• 'Entitlement cards' as part of, or linked to the ID scheme, logging use of public services
• Centralised medical records without privacy
• Biometrics in schools — fingerprinting children as young as 4 or 5
• 'ContactPoint', a database collecting sensitive information on every child
• Fingerprinting in pubs and bars — landlords forced to monitor their patrons
• A greatly expanded National DNA Database (NDNAD)
• New police powers to check identity
• Increasing Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks for employees and volunteers
• Businesses under pressure to verify ID of staff and customers with the government

The list is growing all the time, but NO2ID works with a wide range of other organisations. We are constantly looking for more people who want fight one or other of the the tentacles of the database state, as well as to cut off its head, the NIR.

If you can help, please get in touch by sending an e-mail to office@no2id.net — or, if you can't give us your time, please help fund the campaign. Every pound that you give will be spent fighting ID cards and the database state.