And another thing!!!! I don't even like the title!! I know "data" is
used in the singular and in the plural, but doesn't "What are Personal
Data" sound weird; rather than "What is Personal Data".
-----Original Message-----
From: This list is for those interested in Data Protection issues
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Tim Trent
Sent: 02 December 2004 14:27
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [data-protection] Research
The real issue is always context.
"What is personal data?" or "Is 'shoe size' personal data?" are not
questions that can be posed in isolation. Ignoring the word "Living" at
present, the question to be posed is "Is 'shoe size' personal data if it
is
linked in some precise manner to a particular individual?"
It is relatively simple to see that 'shoe size' in isolation is not
personal
data, but that "Tim Trent's shoe size is X" is personal data.
-----Original Message-----
From: This list is for those interested in Data Protection issues
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Tim Turner
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2004 1:46 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [data-protection] FW: [data-protection] Research
I think I understand what they are saying, and I think that they have a
point.
There are people who operate less on a clear understanding of the
legislation, and more on a fuzzy, almost incoherent set of assumptions
and
instincts. They then get annoyed with people at the Commissioner's
office,
when they stick to what the words in the Act (and associated
regulations)
actually say, rather than what these people want to hear. Some people
seem
to fix upon concepts like privacy and confidentiality when what they
should
be doing is concentrating on what the Act (and for example the Privacy
and
Electronic Communications Regs) say. If all else fails, people cling to
the
notion of the "spirit of the Act", which is ironic given how soulless
the
DPA actually is.
I witnessed so-called experts in heated debate about what personal data
is
all about, but to be honest, such debates are usually more about
instinct
and assumption that hard fact. I'm not saying I'm necessarily any
different,
but I don't think that there is a clear, legally-sound definition of
"personal data" around which everyone can warm their hands. If there was
one, whatever it was, a significant minority would immediately reject it
as
too broad, or two narrow.
Tim Turner
Data Protection Officer
Wigan Council
> ----------
> From: John Hughes[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Reply To: [log in to unmask]
> Sent: 02 December 2004 12:53
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [data-protection] FW: [data-protection] Research
>
> Interesting sentence on page 7 of "What are personal data":
>
> "Where there is a large literature on data protection, the
> interpretation of 'personal data' is seldom addressed, and the meaning
> of the concept tends to be assumed rather than rigorously analysed."
>
> Funny, I rather had the impression that it had been analysed to death
> and pulled to pieces in a dozen different directions. Nor am I aware
> of anyone who is involved in the application of data protection having
> assumptions about its meaning - very much the opposite. It stikes me
> as a very strange comment.
>
> John
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: DREW Nic [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 02 December 2004 08:20
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [data-protection] Research
>
>
> The IC has published Research Finding's on, amongst other things,
> "What are personal data"
>
>
>
> http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk/eventual.aspx?id=6841
>
>
>
>
>
> Nic
>
>
>
>
>
>
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