NGOs express concerns regarding financial surveillance powers in the UK Data Protection and Digital Information Bill

Privacy International has joined several UK civil society organisations from across sectors in expressing our deep concerns regarding the financial surveillance powers proposed in the UK Data Protection and Digital Information Bill (DPDI Bill). 

Specifically outlined in Clause 128 and Schedule 11, these measures introduce mass algorithmic surveillance aimed at scrutinizing bank and third-party accounts to purportedly detect welfare fraud and errors. In other words, the Department for Work and Pensions is seeking new powers to require banks to surveil the accounts of millions of people who receive benefits. 

Such powers are not only disproportionate but also raise significant concerns regarding privacy, surveillance, data protection, and equality. They represent an unprecedented and disproportionate intrusion into the public's financial privacy, impacting specifically the most vulnerable in our society. We strongly urge for the removal of Clause 128 and Schedule 11 from the DPDI Bill. 

For further details, please refer to the full letter which you can download below, and stay updated on future developments as we continue to follow this issue.