I agree that the dissident in question needs protection. However, I might point out that if the regime in question wants to find their man or woman, they will not do it solely through an internet search. First, is the name a registered search field within the planning application webpage? If a webpage is not configured to allow searching by name, then a search engine cannot find it. The planning applications can be searchable by number or some other reference which will not give up the name, at least not directly. Therefore, the regime in question will need to trawl through millions of pages on the off chance they may find the planning application with the name in question. Second, if the person in question has unusual characteristics, and the regime in question has a good idea where he or she lives, ie London, they can quickly begin to narrow the search. For example, they can go to known associates. Dissidents and refugees from foreign countries usually associate with their countrymen. A case in point is or was the white Russian emigres in Paris after the Russian Revolution. Third, if the person in question needs political protection, I would be surprised if an exemption could not be made. Common sense allows for such discretion. However, common sense may be lacking in the law. Fourth, dissidents and refugees are found by tyrannical regimes, without a planning application. Take for example the two Chinese dissidents who were killed in London a few years ago. They were living quite anonymously in their flat, their neighbours did not know their status, and they were found and killed. Their murders remain unsolved. Or take for example the CIA officers who were shot and killed on their drive into CIA headquarters in the early 1990s. The gunman was a Pashtuni tribesman seeking revenge for a perceived, or real, betrayal of a relative by these officers in Pakistan. He found them without a planning application being submitted nor was the attacker helped by a tyrannical regime. Or take for example the former commander of the USS Vincennes, (He gave the order to shoot down the Iranian Airbus) who without a planning application, had a bomb planted on his vehicle at a stoplight in San Diego. He survived the attack. Again, he was found and attacked without recourse to a planning application. The attackers may have been helped by the Iranian government, but that has not been proven conclusively. Or take for example my friend, who moved 2000 miles across the United States to escape a stalker, altered his name, and ended all contact with family and friends. He was found, without a planning application. He and his wife ended up moving to another state and may have even moved back to his wife's country in a bid to escape. His stalker was not helped by a tyrannical regime. Is the dissident in question on the electoral register? My point is that publicising or making public certain information is not inherently problematic. Two things need to be considered and disentangled. First, should the names of objectors be known? I argue that yes they should be public. Second, should the name and address of the applicants be made public? I argue that yes they should. However, both can be made public in limited ways. As I mentioned earlier, the names and addresses can be attached to a planning application without being a search field. Therefore, if I am interested in the application, I live nearby, I can search by address without needing to know the name. This would solve the problem of the dissident. Unless of course, his address is already known, and in that case the point is moot. My point concerning the objectors is that data protection issues become moot if we cannot assure physical safety. The reference to retail sanity and wholesale madness comes to mind. As it is Friday, I wish all who have read this far a pleasant and enjoyable weekend. Best Lawrence Serewicz Lawrence W. Serewicz Scrutiny Manager Management Support Unit Wear Valley District Council 01388-761-985 [log in to unmask] Sent by: This list is for those interested in Data Protection issues <[log in to unmask]> 02/06/2005 20:09 Please respond to KITLegal To: [log in to unmask] cc: Subject: Re: [data-protection] Opinions sought - Planning Applications In a message dated 02/06/05 15:06:26 GMT Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes (snip): > I think the risks are small, and the benefits could be large. ------- Then consider this. I know a man who was granted asylum in this country and is still being sought by the regime he ran from. If he wants to extend his house, have it adapted for disabled access, or change the use for whatever reason, he runs a risk of being found if his details are published worldwide. He has committed no crime, he was just "on the wrong side". Can he never be allowed a right to improve his home? He cannot lie on the form about who he is, he cannot remain anonymous, he doesn't mind his neighbours knowing about his application because they know little of his background. How is the Internet different from a local planning process? That's how. People running from violent marriages, people being stalked, and others should be given a right to get on with their lives without the "small risk" as you call it, due to some ill-conceived operation of convenience. A local system could still exist using the Internet. Register all relevant persons and issue a PIN or other identifier. Using the PIN, the people who need to know about planning applications in their area can do so. People from outside the area who just want names and addresses for junk mailing, scamming or other nefarious purposes, can get nothing. E-government targets are met, personal data is protected and the right to a private life (Art 8 ECHR) is maintained. 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. 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