Didn't your on-the-run bloke take the small precaution of changing his name?
I don't think planning should be excluded from the internet because of the
small risks involved in publishing the names and addresses of participants.
The risk is small, and smaller than the risk of local decisions being
concentrated in a limited number of hands who know where to go and what to
do, instead of widening that participation by putting information on a
website that will, in the vast majority of cases be a de facto local
resource only. You can, if you like, mentally take every situation to the
worst possible extreme and make all of your decisions based on those
extremes. But that means letting Data Protection fall into disrepute and
disuse, because people associate it with fighting one-in-a-million
possibilities, rather than a practical, fair and balanced way of working.
And yes, I think the fundamental responsibility for the person who is
scammed by Canadian lottery merchants is that person - even if they are
protected by edited online planning applications, they're going to end up
being suckered some other way.
Tim Turner
Data Protection Officer
Wigan Council
> ----------
> From: [log in to unmask][SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Reply To: [log in to unmask]
> Sent: 11 June 2004 11:50
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [data-protection] Sale of planning application lists
>
> In a message dated 11/06/04 10:44:21 GMT Daylight Time,
> [log in to unmask] writes:
>
>
> > If the Data Protection Act / Directive prevents the process moving into
> the
> > internet age, then it is at fault. In an uncharacteristically pragmatic
> > moment, I was advised by an IC officer that when publishing on the web,
> it
> > was worth considering what harm could be done to a person if their
> details
> > appeared online.
> >
> -------
> Good advice. Bear in mind though that the Canadian and other scammers
> ("you
> have won our lottery") have been getting details of British individuals
> from
> the Internet. If they are scammed out of several thousands of pounds
> (sterling) is it their own fault for being so stupid, their own fault for
> not realising
> they have a choice as to whether their personal details are distributed
> worldwide or the data controller's fault for not telling them they have a
> choice?
> Or is it that if they don't want to have their details on the web they
> cannot
> partake of activities (eg having an extension built, voting, etc) like
> they
> used to?
>
> The harm that could come to an individual granted asylum, setting up a new
> life for their family and having an extension built is incalculable - but
> if you
> don't ask and don't give them a choice it's your fault not their's - isn't
> it? Or is it?
>
> Of course it's an extreme example that couldn't happen in real life . . .
> except I once worked with a man on the run from a foreign army who had
> offered a
> reward for his murder. Our employer was initially insisting that staff
> would
> not have a choice as to whether their details were published on the
> website.
>
> Ian B
>
>
> Ian Buckland
> Managing Director
> Keep IT Legal Ltd
>
> Please Note: The information given above does not replace or negate the
> need
> for proper legal advice and/or representation. It is essential that you do
> not
> rely upon any advice given without contacting your solicitor. If you need
> further explanation of any points raised please contact Keep I.T. Legal
> Ltd at
> the address below:
>
> 55 Curbar Curve
> Inkersall, Chesterfield
> Derbyshire S43 3HP
> (Reg 3822335)
> Tel: 01246 473999
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> Website: www.keepitlegal.co.uk
>
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