I disagree. Apart from it only being wise to rely on Durant when only in
the UK, the email address is held in a computer system.
Also please note a google search on my own email address:
http://tinyurl.com/yaze5g
An email address is absolutely capable of identifying a living individual.
As such it is covered under the DPA 1998
-----Original Message-----
From: This list is for those interested in Data Protection issues
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Paul Ticher
Sent: 18 October 2006 15:45
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [data-protection] Councils using cc lists for a mailing
But in the Durant case guidance, which was issued later, under Richard
Thomas, it says:
"mere reference to a person's name where the name is not associated with any
other personal information" is an example of "information which will not
normally be personal data". It then goes on to say that "where an
individual's name appears on a document or e-mail indicating only that it
has been sent or copied to that particular individual, the content of that
document or e-mail does not amount to personal data about the individual
unless there is other information about the individual within it."
While this does not specifically address the question of whether the e-mail
address in itself is personal data, the implication is that it may well not
be - even if you can indeed identify the individual from the address (and
quite possibly where they work, as well).
I completely agree with others that it is definitely not good practice to
spray people's e-mail addresses around for no good reason. It is far from
certain, however, that this is covered by the Data Protection Act, which
could have interesting implications if one suffered harm as a result of the
information being disclosed in this way and then sought compensation.
Paul Ticher
0116 273 8191
22 Stoughton Drive North, Leicester LE5 5UB
I hereby require any recipient of this message not to use my personal data
for direct marketing purposes.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Roland Perry" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2006 3:08 PM
Subject: Re: Councils using cc lists for a mailing
> In message
> <[log in to unmask]>, at
> 14:16:32 on Wed, 18 Oct 2006, "Tinsley, Chris"
> <[log in to unmask]> writes
>>Is an email address personal data? I am sure that this has been
>>discussed before but am not sure that there was any consensus.
>
> Elizabeth France issued specific guidance that an email address *was*
> personal data.
>
> >An email address contains no biographical data so may not be considered
> >personal data.
>
> Even if we accept that restriction (which I don't) the mailing list in
> question reveals the biographical information that the people concerned
> signed up to a particular contentious consultation with Cambridge County
> Council (oops, that just slipped out).
> --
> Roland Perry
>
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