Is it lost as in...
...deleted without a trace or left on a random train?
The Identity and Passport Office (IPS) has been reprimanded by the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) for losing 21 passport renewal forms. The forms were lost in May 2010 and the ICO informed. The lost data included personal information on both the applicants and the counter-signatories. All affected individuals were …
Well, well - smack on the wrist and stand in the corner of the classroom for the rest of the day. Just shows the lack of teeth that the ICO really has. Not impressed. I once reported a previous employer to them for passing on my personal details (name and address) to one of the rogue so-called "private parking enforcement" companies that abound in the UK, instead of passing the alleged "parking infringement" notice to me to deal with. I had a load of waffle back from the ICO and no real concrete answers. Personally, I would have thought they breached the 1998 Data Protection act. Oh - and by the way, never paid the "fine" (naturally) and never heard any more.
"Following the loss of details relating to 21 passport applications in May 2010, IPS took immediate action to cancel the application information. We are confident that customers were not subject to any risk of identity fraud."
Knowing what I do about what goes onto passport applications, pray tell how exactly does any of that information get "cancelled"? Do those involved get new names and birthdates? New tax IDs and eye colours?