British Child Benefits Data-loss fiasco caused by 'woefully inadequate' system

The London Times reports:

The loss of 25 million child benefit records, complete with sensitive personal information, was brought about by a “woefully inadequate system” being used by staff who were working on a “muddle through” ethos, a damning report has found.

The 59-page report found that there were “cultural failures” at HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and practices at the organisation were “far from what they should have been”.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission inquiry said: “Staff found themselves working on a day-to-day basis without adequate support, training or guidance about how to handle sesitive presonal data appropriately.

“The IPCC uncovered failures in institutional practices and procedures concerning the handling of data. It revealed the absence of a coherent strategy for mass data handling and, generally speaking, practices and procedures were less than effective.”

Great moments in activist government.