Open Rights Group

The ICO has failed to stand up for the data rights of Meta users in the UK. Ignoring ORG's complaint, they've failed to issue a binding order to stop data from being scraped to train AI. Making the opt out process simpler is an inadequate response to these intrusive proposals. Rights can only be protected by opt-in consent. Our statement ⬇️ #AI #dataprotection #GDPR https://lnkd.in/eBWNq46K

Our Challenge the Checks coalition does not believe that right to work checks can ever be part of the fight for migrants’ rights. Right to work checks treat migrants and racialised people with inherent suspicion, and contradict our demands for freedom of movement. With our friends at MIGRANTS AT WORK LTD and Open Rights Group, we want the checks infrastructure dismantled and we're challenging automated digital checks as a first step. Find out more about our campaign and how we’re planning to #ChallengeTheChecks https://buff.ly/4cXrXRy #RightToWork #HostileEnvironment

It was a pleasure to deliver a keynote speech at the Westminster Forum Projects: The future of data protection in the UK. After wasting four years with the DPDI Bill, what’s in store for the upcoming Digital Information and Smart Data Bill? Some highlights below: Mastodon: https://lnkd.in/d_GMvubn Bluesky: https://lnkd.in/dDmZdEeJ 2) As a starting point, the UK needs to abandon the policy objective of pursuing economic growth via deregulation. Data protection is a necessary tool to protect citizens in the digital age, and promote inclusive and sustainable growth. https://lnkd.in/dHzKEXph 3) Gutting data protection standards would only allow digital robber barons to strip us of control over our data and coerce us in the adoption of technologies that grow their purses at our expenses — say, by blackmailing us into consenting or paying. https://lnkd.in/dkEdYYj4 4.1) Data protection is also important for public service delivery. ORG participated to a public dialogue promoted by the Scottish Govt where, TLDR, the public expressed strong support for the principles of necessity, purpose limitation, and precaution... https://lnkd.in/dy-Fyj7q 4.2) ...in other words, the public rejected the DPDI Bill model, which was sought to carve wide exemptions to these principles via a list of “recognised legitimate interests” and “list of compatible purposes”. ORG has long denounced their undemocratic nature https://lnkd.in/d7tev9gv 5.1) The new, Labour Govt also hinted at an upcoming reform of the ICO. This reform needs be bolder: the failures of the ICO are deeply rooted and difficult to ignore… https://lnkd.in/dpSekGXP 5.2) ...Also, the new leadership has now fully exposed the contradiction of the Commissioner’s appointment process, which in the past legislature has been politicised and subjugated to Govt economic policies… https://lnkd.in/dqMmTn_J 5.3) ...In other words, the ICO isn’t working, and fixing it will require deep, structural changes to the appointment process of its members, to it’s judicial oversight, to new mechanisms that can shield it from corporate influence and restore integrity. https://lnkd.in/dZX-gEwi 6) To conclude: the post-Brexit digital agenda has failed and needs to go. Protection of rights and integrity of institutions are needed to correct the direction of travel and promote inclusive, sustainable growth. Are Labour going to be up to the task?

Right to work checks move border enforcement into the workplace. These checks aren't required by law. They simply give employers a statutory excuse against civil penalties. Migrants' futures are made dependent on error-prone digital services and confusion over the rules. With checks happening in real-time across multiple databases, records are often mismatched and result in incorrect conclusions. These legally questionable automated decisions can lead to migrants being denied work unjustly and mistakes are difficult to challenge. Migrants are made to live in fear with little control over their data. Find out more about the #ChallengeTheChecks campaign from Migrants' Rights Network, MIGRANTS AT WORK LTD and ORG. #privacy #dataprotection #migration https://lnkd.in/ekG8_5Xu

What are the problems with the e-Visa scheme? 🔴 Flaws in the rollout 🔴 Accessibility barriers 🔴 Technical glitches Our explainer breaks down why we're calling on the government to #stopEvisas and prevent a digital Windrush scandal. Find out more ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eCyKgfCb

🚨 The e-Visa scheme could create another Windrush scandal 🚨 By the end of 2024, proof of the right to be in the UK will be fully digitalised. Up to 4 million migrants will be at risk of not being able to prove their status offline. 🔴 Many people don't know that they need to apply for an e-Visa, due to emails being sent to the wrong people and the lack of an awareness campaign. 🔴 To register for an e-Visa, you need a smartphone that can make contactless transactions. Many migrants, especially older people, don't have these devices or lack the necessary technical literacy. 🔴 The previous EU Settlement Scheme shows that digital systems are susceptible to incorrect data, crashes and Internet outages. Without physical documentation, people could be denied entry to the UK, access to services and funding. People with the right to be in the UK may not be able to prove their status due to flaws in the scheme’s rollout and implementation. Support our call to the Home Office to #stopEvisas. https://lnkd.in/gr2msW_v

WATCH AGAIN. Our webinar is now available to watch on demand. Hear from our expert panel about the problems with the e-Visa scheme and the risk to migrants of removing physical proof of status. A digital Windrush scandal must be averted. Find out how ⬇ #eVisa #migrants https://lnkd.in/eF5UzjYu

We've joined 27 rights and racial justice groups to oppose the expansion of live facial recognition. Use of this intrusive, discriminatory surveillance technology and collection of biometric data must be halted. Read more about the letter from Big Brother Watch ⬇️ #StopFacialRecognition https://lnkd.in/ghq5jM7h

Replacing physical visas with e-visas could leave millions of migrants unable to prove their status when Home Office systems fail. Join our webinar to find out more: Will the government's e-visa scheme lead to another Windrush scandal? Chaired by ORG's Sara Alsherif, our expert panel will examine this flawed scheme with Zoe Bantleman (Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association), Kezia Tobin (the3million), Ramya Jaidev (Windrush Lives) and Kuba Jablonowski (University of Bristol). 🗓️ 2 September 🕝 2:30pm BST Register now ⬇

Is privacy back on the chopping block? 🤔 A Digital Information and Smart Data Bill was announced by the new government with a narrower scope around data protection reform. ORG warns against reintroducing elements of the disastrous Data Protection and Digital Information Bill. From liberalising data sharing to threatening the independence of the data watchdog and the UK-EU adequacy agreement, the DISD Bill mustn't advance the same deregulatory digital policies as before. We need socially responsible innovation within clear guidelines and limits... strong data protection in other words. Read now ⬇️ #dataprotection #GDPR https://lnkd.in/eDfMM7-8