It's unfortunate that the otherwise excellent data handling procedures in Government report http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/~/media/assets/www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/csia/dhr/dhr080625%20pdf.ashx didn't look at the issue from an citizens perspective. Quoting from the foreword by Gus O'Donnell - "Effective use of information is absolutely central to the challenges facing the Government today – whether in improving health, tackling child poverty, or protecting the public from crime and terrorism. Those in public service need to keep that information secure, in order to build public confidence. This is essential to underpin greater data sharing to deliver personalised services and make us more effective." illustrates how the report looks out from government not in from the citizens perspective.
The report acknowledged that data handling is not just technical but a wider cultural issue and recommends a raft of sensible changes. The missing piece was a mechanism for listening to citizens needs and concerns and for representing that point of view when making decisions.
My first thought was to suggest that the Information Commissioner represent citizens but that makes information somehow special and different from concerns about how Government meets citizen's wider needs.The real answer is to have a body to understand and represent the views of citizens in all interactions with Government. And why just Government?
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