Query: If a caller rings a company, university, or any institution, and asks to be connected to
Mr.X, is the operator's connecting the caller to Mr. X a disclosure of personal data? It discloses
that Mr. X has an extension there, at least. Or if the caller requests to leave a message for
Student Y to call back, and the operator accepts the message?
Charles Christacopoulos wrote:
> ** Reply to note from Lucinda Bennett <[log in to unmask]> Thu, 30 Mar 2000 12:17:27 +0100
>
> > At Exeter, if an enquirer phones up wanting to know whether
> > or not an individual is registered at the University, staff
> > currently disclose this information to the caller, ie Yes,
> > X is a registered student here.1 Likewise, if the student
> > should have registered but did not, or if the student has
> > left the University, this information is also disclosed.
> > However, any other information (eg addresses, phone numbers
> > etc) is not disclosed to the caller - and messages are
> > forwarded on to the student to deal with as they see fit.
> >
> > However, under the DP Act, is it legal for staff
> > to disclose even this limited information? If not, could
> > it be got around by advising students on the Registration
> > form that this limited info will be routinely disclosed to
> > callers.
>
> My reaction would be not to answer at all. You should stick to "one" formal
> answer and refuse to give any info. even if the student does not exist in
> your institution. If for some students you say they are not there and for
> others you refuse to answer you will efectively admit that the latter are
> there.
>
> My "conspiracy" mind says we have to safeguard those who may be in a
> vulnerable situation. I am thinking of divorced people, sexual, racial
> harassment and so on. We should not really be admitting to the whereabouts
> of students let alone their address or other private details.
>
> If a caller is serious enough ask them to write to you.
>
> If it helps at all.
>
> Charles
>
> ==============================================
> Charles Christacopoulos, Secretary's Office, University of Dundee,
> Dundee DD1 4HN, (Scotland) United Kingdom.
> Tel: +44+(0)1382-344891. Fax: +44+(0)1382-201604.
> http://somis.ais.dundee.ac.uk/
> Scottish Search Maestro http://somis2.ais.dundee.ac.uk/
--
Charles A. Prescott
Vice President, International Business Development
and Government Affairs
Direct Marketing Association
1120 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
U.S.A.
Tel. (1) 212-790-1552
Fax. (1) 212-790-1499
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
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