Andrew Hough and Martin Beckford report:
The controversial database containing personal details of all 11 million children in England has suffered at least three security breaches even before its nationwide launch.
At least 51,100 people have also demanded to have their personal information hidden from users of ContactPoint amid persistent fears that it is unsafe.
The investigation by The Daily Telegraph has led to renewed criticism of the delayed £224 million computer system, which is meant to protect young people by creating a single register of their contact details.
[…]
But there have been at least three security breaches so far, in London, Staffordshire and Surrey, according to details obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.
One “serious” breach involved two staff at Westminster City Council, where many politicians and public figures live, losing details of children that had been originally stored in an envelope.
[…]
Two of the councils that acted as “trailblazers” for the information-sharing project in 2005 were forced to investigate after staff breached guidelines on data use.
East Sussex County Council said: “There was one incidence of inappropriate behaviour in the early stages of the project, with one practitioner sharing access information with a colleague who had not yet received access information.
“Both accounts were suspended until the issue was dealt with through the [council’s] usual disciplinary procedures.”
Sheffield City Council said: “There have only been two incidents that have required formal investigation – both were identified by the internal auditing built into the system.
“The two incidents referred to above were considered to be ‘inappropriate use’ of the system by authorised users as per our user guidelines.”
Read more in the Telegraph.