Councils trawl the database of every registered driver in the UK to find the addresses of motorists refusing to pay parking fines, among other things.

BBC: DVLA bans councils from database over abuses

Though a Canadian insurance corporation graciously volunteered the use of its driver's license photo database to Vancouver police after the devastating post-Stanley Cup hockey riot there in July, authorities declined the offer after privacy advocates expressed concerns about violation of Canadians' civil liberties.

FORBES: Technology

Hundreds of local authorities have been banned from accessing the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Agency (DVLA) database for not using it properly.

BBC: DVLA bans councils from database over abuses