Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Law Lord wants everyone on the DNA database

One of the Law Lords, Lord Justice Sedley, has called for everyone's DNA to be put on the national DNA database because the current collection of data is discriminatory.

"The present database in England and Wales holds details of 4m people who are guilty or cleared of a crime.

Lord Justice Sedley said this was indefensible and biased against ethnic minorities, and it would be fairer to include everyone, guilty or innocent."

This is the standard 'treat everyone the equally by treating them all badly' argument and it is disappointing to hear it from someone who should know better. The usual Schneier needles in data haystacks warnings naturally apply.

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