Recent revelations have brought to light major flaws in a significant Home Office immigration database, resulting in more than 76,000 individuals being listed with incorrect names, photographs, or immigration statuses.
Internal documents obtained by the Guardian unveil the extent of the database debacle within the Home Office, which has faced recent scrutiny for delays in processing immigration applications, extensive queues at borders, and the issuance of incorrect identity cards.
While the Home Office has been notably reticent about the database issues, vaguely referring to them as “IT issues,” ministers have adamantly denied the existence of any “systemic” problem with Atlas, the tool utilized by border officials and immigration officers, which operates off the flawed database.
However, leaked documents shed light on the department’s efforts to address a pervasive issue involving “merged identities,” where biographical and biometric details of two or more individuals are incorrectly linked, resulting in individuals being unable to substantiate their rights to work, rent housing, or access free NHS treatment.
Government sources have confirmed an ongoing investigation by the Information Commissioner’s Office, assessing whether the database failure constitutes data breaches.
In a move exacerbating the problem, the Home Office knowingly altered the way the database linked individuals’ records in January, despite a year of planning, resulting in inaccuracies for several million people. This decision, outlined in leaked documents, highlighted a “small but important downside” involving the recording of other individuals’ passport details on records, deemed a necessary trade-off by the Home Office.
Notably, the Person Centric Data Platform (PCDP), at the core of the failures, maintains records of migrant interactions with UK immigration systems over time, storing visa applications, identity documents, and biometric information for 177 million individuals. This platform feeds into Atlas, a Home Office computer system used by caseworkers and Border Force officials.
Individuals affected by the database errors have voiced their concerns, with some expressing frustration over their inability to prove their right to work to employers. Jorge Gómez, a refugee and rugby player, lamented the damage inflicted on his life and mental health by the Home Office’s failure to rectify the issue.
These errors have also led to individuals encountering the photo IDs of strangers when accessing their online immigration accounts, jeopardizing employment and housing prospects. The Home Office’s response has drawn criticism, with concerns raised about transparency regarding the extent of the problem.
Despite reassurances from Home Office ministers, internal documents highlight the pervasive nature of the issues stemming from the flawed data system, with asylum caseworkers reportedly facing challenges meeting performance targets due to problems with Atlas.
Efforts to mitigate the issue include the creation of an automated tool to flag potential merged identities, identifying over 38,000 issues thus far, each impacting at least two individuals.
While a Home Office spokesperson acknowledged the issues, estimating they affected 0.02% of individuals on the database, steps have been taken to address the concerns and mitigate risks for affected individuals.
The Information Commissioner’s Office has launched an investigation following a report from the Home Office, emphasizing the critical importance of maintaining accurate and secure information systems to uphold public trust.
