It used to be like this in many European states back in the 80's. If you wanted to keep a computerized database of personal information, you had to apply to the state for a permit, so there was central control of all the lists. Of course this was extremely difficult to enforce... Eventually that type of legislation was replaced by the EU data directive.

e.g. In Sweden: http://www.datainspektionen.se/om-oss/historik/