The Identity Cards Act establishes the role of National Identity Scheme Commissioner. I thought of this as I read today's report that there were over half a million public-sector requests for access to private communications data - up from an average of fewer than 350,000 in each of the previous two years. The figures were apparently reported by the Interception of Communications Commissioner. For clarity, I should point out that this is not the same as the report by the the Chief Surveillance Commissioner, cricitising the inappropriate use by some councils of powers set out in the Regulation [sic] if Investigatory Powers Act.
There are doubtless a few other Commissioners with views on the subject, yet to emerge from the woodwork. I wonder how they are all going to sort out who oversees what, once the National Identity Scheme actually comes into operation.
It's tempting to suggest the appointment of some kind of 'Information Tsar' to over see them all - but that wouldn't really be appropriate. After all, the Commissars didn't come until after the Tsars had been booted out.
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