Hi
We have our consultations avoid using the last 2 digits for the reason that identification is possible with postcode and other data, unless we're specifically doing personalised consultation. Even in busy metropolitan areas there are postcodes with only a few properties. This is particularly true if it's full postcode and equalities data.
I generally work on the assumption that full postcode plus anything else is personal data, and work down from there, although we do some solely location-based work where postcodes are not personal data.
Victoria Blyth
Privacy & Data Protection Lead (Deputy DPO) – Records & Information Management
London Borough of Barnet, 2 Bristol Avenue, Colindale, NW9 4EW
Tel: 020 8359 2015 | Web: www.barnet.gov.uk
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-----Original Message-----
From: The Information and Records Management Society mailing list <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Maxwell Allen
Sent: 20 January 2021 09:54
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Postcodes
Dear friends
How do we feel about FULL postcodes being used for marketing research and segmentation by a third party? I am aware of the FOI Decision Notice (Holy Trinity Church FS50236990 3 August 2009). Also the FOI Decision Notice (Lincolnshire County Council FS50704419 27 March 2018).
To be clear, when we talk about full postcodes, it's the last 2 alpha characters that is a particular concern, as these identity “a street or part of street, a single address, a group of properties, a subsection of a property”.
The key question is whether an individual can be identified by other information if the full postcode is known. In some circumstances it has to be said that certain postcodes may identify a single household. But in any case, if -for example- you were in possession of the exact age of subjects, I would imagine it would be possible to isolate certain households in many circumstances.
Is anyone aware of any other cases or relevant info? Do you agree/disagree with what I've said above?
Max, Civil Service.
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