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London, 4 March 2002
On
March 4, 2002, Privacy International presented the 4th annual
UK "Big Brother" awards to the government and private sector organisations
that have done the most to invade personal privacy in Britain.
Four "Big
Brother" awards were presented to the individuals, organizations,
and departments which have done most to invade personal privacy.
A "lifetime menace" award was also be given.
"Winston" awards were also be
given to individuals and organisations which have made an outstanding
contribution to the protection of privacy, as well as to people
who have been victims of privacy invasion.
Channel 4's Mark Thomas presented
the awards.
2002 Winners and Runners Up
WORST PUBLIC SERVANT
- Sir Richard Wilson, Cabinet Secretary
For his long standing commitment to opposing freedom of information,
data protection and ministerial accountability
Runners Up
- David Blunkett MP, Home Secretary
For his astonishing and multi-skilled disregard for privacy
and for his patronage of the proposed national ID card
- Michael Cashman MEP
For his unrelenting opposition in the European Parliament to
controls over email spam see report at http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4251962,00.html
MOST INVASIVE COMPANY
- Norwich Union
For using unapproved genetic tests for potentially fatal diseases
when assessing whether to offer life cover. See http://www.gefoodalert.org/News/news.cfm?News_ID=2676
Runners Up
- The Countryside Alliance (CA)
for registering themselves with the Information Commissioner
as holding data on (among many other categories) sexual, political,
religious, health, intelligence and lifestyle information on
a vast range of individuals. The CA registration on the Information
Commissioners site is 27 pages in length, and contains almost
every conceivable category of personal data. See registration
- The Internet Watch Foundation
For actions which judges regarded as unnecessary, disproportionate
and hostile to the rights of Internet users. See http://www.cyber-rights.org/watchmen-ii.htm
and
http://www.liberty.org.uk/cacib/iwfresignation.htm
MOST APPALLING PROJECT
Runners Up
- The Electoral Reform Society
For its patronage of a report by the Independent Commission
on alternative voting methods. The report provides a woefully
scant assessment of the substantial privacy and security threats
arising from electronic voting. See www.electoral-reform.org.uk
MOST HEINOUS GOVERNMENT ORGANISATION
LIFETIME MENACE
- The national Identification and data sharing
scheme
Proposals for a comprehensive data sharing scheme between government
agencies and the private sector have in recent years become
a fixed component of government thinking. These proposals, whether
they are marketed as a national ID card or an entitlement card,
constitute the greatest ongoing threat to privacy. This nomination
goes to the concept.
Runners Up
- Sir Richard Wilson (see above)
Winston Awards
MAURICE FRANKEL
Director of the Campaign for Freedom of Information, for his
outstanding contribution over many years to the establishment
of FOI legislation in Britain.
THE LORD PHILLIPS OF SUDBURY (Andrew Phillips)
He has works tirelessly for many years on initiatives to build
civil society and to promote and defend the integrity of the
judicial system. Last year he was instrumental in forcing reforms
to the governments anti-terrorism legislation.
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH’S ‘FREE COUNTRY CAMPAIGN’.
The DT last year started a campaign against restrictions on
personal liberties. Since then – and despite September
11th – the paper has stuck by this position and modified
its editorial stance on a wide range of issues from drug law
reform and surveillance through to police powers and CCTV.David
Shaylor
ILKA SCHRODER
a German Greens MEP who has consistently fought to defend citizens
against state intrusion. She has been a key figure in the European
Parliament’s investigation into the “Echelon”
spying system run by the American National Security Agency.
DAVID SHAYLER
For services at great personal cost to opening up the secret
state and for his role in challenging the fairness and legality
of the Official Secrets Act.
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Nominations
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The awards will be judged by a
panel of experts,
comprising lawyers, academics, consultants, journalists and civil
rights activists.
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News
Stories
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The Organising
Body and Sponsors
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Privacy
International (PI) was
formed in 1990 as a non-government watchdog on surveillance and
privacy invasion. The organisation has campaigned throughout the
world on dozens of issues ranging from identity cards and encryption
policy, to workplace surveillance and military intelligence. PI's
membership includes IT specialists, lawyers, judges and journalists
from forty countries.
Sponsored by
 
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