This whole scenario is still being looked at UK wide and if you remember
I recently posted the press release about this from the Assistant IC
Commissioner.
 

-----Original Message-----
From: This list is for those interested in Data Protection issues
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Paul Ticher
Sent: 13 November 2007 21:37
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: {BBC News Item} Planning Dept Personal Details disclosure
could lead to ID theft?

Transparency in public procedures probably requires the publication of
details - both of those making planning applications and those objecting
- provided they are made aware of the publication when they submit the
application or objection.

However, those harvesting the details to use for unsolicited marketing
are clearly using them for a purpose incompatible with the original
purpose, are therefore in breach of Principle 2, probably Principle 1,
and possibly Principle 6, and should therefore have the book thrown at
them, however feebly, by the ICO (plus a possible claim for damages from
the individual concerned).

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: "Robert (Bob) Waixel" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 8:56 PM
Subject: {BBC News Item} Planning Dept Personal Details disclosure could
lead to ID theft?


  BBC NEWS
ID theft fear over planning form
A Brighton man fears becoming a victim of identity theft because his
details have been published on the internet by the city council.

Bruce Drew's details were on a planning application which was put on the
web without any information being removed.

A council spokesman said similar details appeared "on every planning
authority's website in the country".

He said the council was checking to confirm its belief that data
protection guidelines were not being breached.

Mr Drew, whose listed building application was for a new kitchen, said
he found the form online - including his telephone number and signature
- two years after it had been submitted.


Such details have been available for decades in paper form Brighton
council statement

He said: "We all spend an awful lot of time trying to make sure we don't
have this information available in all kinds of other places.

"For an organisation like the council to publish this information, I was
very disappointed."

He said he had received unsolicited approaches for business from
builders, architects and window firms.

"It's obvious now where the information has been available from," he
said.

And he added: "What concerns me more is what I don't know about at the
moment and may find out about in the future - that they've been able to
gain information and use it in other kinds of ways."

A statement issued by Brighton and Hove City Council said: "We need to
be clear that such details on online planning registers are not peculiar
to Brighton and Hove.

"Similar details will appear on every planning authority's website in
the country, as most planning application forms are similar.

"Such details have been available for decades in paper form for anyone
visiting any council planning departments and this remains the case."

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/england/sussex/7093568.stm

Published: 2007/11/13 20:19:02 GMT

(c) BBC MMVII
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/sussex/7093568.stm

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