I'm not sure I entirely agree. This forum is populated with people who have a high awareness of data protection
issues, generally. It's easy for us, with the knowledge that we have, to "poo poo" any efforts that HMRC may now
make.
However I have had many (and I mean a shed load) of conversations with concerned parents who haven't a clue about
DP apart from what the press decide to tell them, and I am a firm believer that 90% of what the press write should
be used only for wrapping fish and chips in. Whilst the letter (we got one too) does not say a great deal it does
attempt to indicate that something is being done (whether it is, or not).
HMRC made a HUGE mistake. However what is now important is what they do to put it right and make sure it does not
happen again. A letter of apology is one way of acknowledging the error. Let's face it they have apologised - it
took nearly 200 years for the government to apologise for slavery.
I suspect that if they hadn't contacted those affected, there would be people on this forum who would be slaming
them for inaction.
Simon Howarth.
Quoting "Griffiths, Ian" <[log in to unmask]>:
> Its quite clearly as massive waste of money. We've already had quite
> enough spin from the top and many financial providers have also taken
> the impetus to reassure their customers.
>
> Suppose its only a small portion of the complete bill by the time we've
> paid police to search through rubbish.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: This list is for those interested in Data Protection issues
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of davidwyatt
> Sent: 05 December 2007 21:15
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [data-protection] HMRC Apology letters
>
>
> My brother had received an apology letter from HMRC sent out after the
> mess.
>
> His first reaction was what a waste of public money given the amount of
> awareness already created by the media.
>
> It's also possible that the apology process may compound their DPA
> compliance problems if the address data to where these letters were sent
> are not up to date.
>
> David Wyatt
>
>
>
>
>
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