From top: Data Protection Commission HQ; Then Fine Gael Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe launching the Public Service Card in 2016

This morning.

A Department of Social Protection appeal against an Enforcement Notice issued by the Data Protection Commission (DPC) in relation to the Department’s processing of personal data when issuing Public Services Cards (PSC) has been resolved.

Via the Data Protection Commission:

The Data Protection Commission welcomes the resolution of the proceedings.

In particular, it welcomes the fact that significantly enhanced levels of information are now being provided to citizens to explain (amongst other things) what personal data is processed when an individual applies for a PSC, how it is processed, and to what end, with further enhancements to follow on the basis of additional engagement between the parties.

The DPC also welcomes the Department’s acknowledgment that, in the absence of legislation making specific provision for this, other public sector bodies cannot compel any individual to acquire a PSC as a precondition to the provision of access to public services.

To that end, at least one other option must now be provided in any case where an individual is required to verify their identity before accessing public services.

Significant adjustments are also to be made to the Department’s approach to the retention of applicants’ personal information, it being recognised that a system founded on the blanket and indefinite retention of all of the information contained in documents submitted in support of a PSC application does not strike an appropriate balance between an applicant’s rights under data protection law, and such other interests as the Department seeks to protect. The DPC looks forward to engaging with the Department in relation to the development and implementation of its new systems.

The DPC also looks forward to the Department’s continued cooperation with its ongoing (and separate) inquiry into the Department’s use of biometric facial templates in the application of its facial matching software which is used for the purposes of the SAFE 2 registration process when a person applies for a PSC.

DPC welcomes resolution of proceedings relating to the Public Services Card (DPC)

RollingNews

Thanks Bebe

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9 thoughts on “Declined”

  1. Nilbert

    Hang on… are we living in a facist authoritarian regime with no protoection of our civil liberties or not??!

    Worst. Facist. Regime. Evurrr.

        1. Cian

          Dole, old age pension, jobseekers, children’s allowance – all the social payments that the government makes.

          1. Noel Browne

            Correction ;: ‘all the social payments that my Income Tax(es), PRSI, USC, VAT, MULTITUDE of Levies & whatever you’re having yerself that 43 years input makes.’ You’re welcome…

    2. Clampers Outside

      True Nilbert.

      Some are still giving out that the Dept of SP will continue to require the card for access to the services provided by them.

      Next they’ll be saying its discriminatory against ‘x’ cohort… If that’s not not already being whinged about.

      And yes, I have one.

      I had need of the DSP services. No, it was not an issue to get the card.

      And I thought it a good idea to have it tied to the Revenue Dept but some people thought it too fascist or an invasion of privacy for a ONE CIVIL SERVICE to have a ONE ACCESS CARD shared between depts of the SAME civil service…

      What the fupp…

      The same numpties will be on complaining about, efficiencies of the civil service, service provisions being slow, and whinging about departments not communicating with each other, etc. etc….

      Well… ’em…

      *eye roll *

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