“The parents of a girl who died suddenly have received a school letter demanding she improves her attendance.

Megan Gillan, 15, was found dead in the bedroom of her home in Macclesfield, Cheshire, two months ago.

Her parents say they were “floored” by a Macclesfield High School letter, which threatened to ban Megan from the end of year prom.

The school has apologised for the mistake, which they said was down to an error on the computer database. ”

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/7963081.stm

This article shows up so many flaws in UK Gov database culture. The fact that a letter was sent out without checking & verification and then _blamed_ on the database!

I will only comment on the two databases I have sufficient knowledge of: the Schengen Information System and the Prüm Framework.

Staring with the Prüm Framework: First and foremost: this is NOT a database but a system to conduct automated cross-border checks. No data is held on the system, it facilitates comparison of data from different member states.
Second, and equally crucial, the system works on keys that do not contain personal information and a hit-no-hit basis. For example, with DNA comparison only the numeric profiles (loci) are compared. If and when there is a hit personal information needs to be requested from the other state according via existing procedures, which depending on the member state could entail sending a judicial letter of request. If these procedures in the UK are not privacy compliant than that might be an issue to address. But that has nothing to do with Prüm. It remains therefore unclear to me on what evidence this ‘red’ flag is based.

As regards the Schengen Information System, the report rates it amber because of the projected changes. In my opinion it would have been more accurate to rate the current system first. Especially if on follows the discussion at the European level it is evident that SIS II actually might never be build.

In sum, it is an interesting report but these inaccuracies harm the overall value for me.

I’m sorry the politico in questions whose named slips my mind, ‘dissed’ this report out of hand (no surprise there) but at least he came off as being a rather slippery character, clutching at straws, and unable to answer any of the real questions put to him.

James