Department for Economy and Transport responsible for majority of missing/stolen WAG laptops

Cymraeg
English

Kirsty Williams AM <info@kirstywilliams.org.uk>

Department for Economy and Transport responsible for majority of missing/stolen WAG laptops - Kirsty

June 16, 2009 12:00 AM

Research by the Welsh Liberal Democrats has revealed that 31 laptops, 10 blackberry devices and 6 mobile phones have been reported lost or stolen in the last three years from the Welsh government, raising further concerns about the protection of data help by public authorities.

Welsh government figures also show that a majority of the lost/stolen laptops were from Plaid Cymru leader's Economy and Transport department.

This latest revelation of lost/stolen data is yet another blunder in the increasing list of instances where people's personal data has been put at risk.

Kirsty Williams, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats said:

"Over the last few years we've seen unacceptable instances of data loss by the Labour-Plaid government. This is yet another example of this government failing in its duties to protect the data of people who they serve.

"Laptops that could potentially contain sensitive information about children, patients and Welsh businesses have been stolen and reported missing from the Children and Education, Health and Economy departments over the last three years. Who knows what sort of information could be stored on these devices.

"Welsh government figures also reveal that the Department for Economy and Transport is responsible for the majority of missing/stolen laptops. While I understand that the Deputy First Minister's department is large, the number of missing laptops is unacceptable. We need assurances from Ieuan Wyn Jones and other ministers that the information contained on these laptops and other electrical devices are not sensitive.

"Parents, patients and the public need to be reassured that information held by the public sector in Wales is held to the highest possible standards. From what we've seen over the last few years, this is clearly not the case.

"This Labour-Plaid government needs to do more to ensure that personal data held by public authorities are kept safe. New procedures must be put in place before more vulnerable people are put at risk."

Ends

Notes:

Earlier in the year, the Welsh Liberal Democrats called on the Welsh government to identify what measures it was taking to safeguard the personal data it, and the services it funds, hold on people in Wales. The motion was passed unanimously by the National Assembly for Wales.

The cost of replacing the 31 laptops is approximately £22,800, the 10 Blackberry Phones, £2,500 and the 6 Mobile Phones £720.