It's just I wonder if their clients know anything about this - there details being sold and would allow people to spam. No wonder there's all this spamming going on when legit companies start selling info.
Any thoughts Search watchers?
[edited by: engine at 10:36 am (utc) on Oct. 6, 2004]
AFAIK the data protection act does not extend to businesses and just applies to individuals so it may be legal.
Not 100% sure - so if anyone has the definitive answer please chime in...
It is like with most (if not all) credit card companies. When you apply for one, you must agree to allow them to sell your personal information to 3rd parties, otherwise you simply cannot get a CC.
A known fictitious name will block all the spam following on from this.
That's if they will sell my contact info on. But they sent me info about their lists services so, I'm thinking that they do sell/hire contact details.
There is no opt in form thingy when you sign up.
11. - (1) An individual is entitled at any time by notice in writing to a data controller to require the data controller at the end of such period as is reasonable in the circumstances to cease, or not to begin, processing for the purposes of direct marketing personal data in respect of which he is the data subject.
(2) If the court is satisfied, on the application of any person who has given a notice under subsection (1), that the data controller has failed to comply with the notice, the court may order him to take such steps for complying with the notice as the court thinks fit.
(3) In this section "direct marketing" means the communication (by whatever means) of any advertising or marketing material which is directed to particular individuals.
Looks like you have to ask to be removed first!
regards
Not sure what type of lists that CountyWeb may sell.
But the above points applies to individuals.
If CountyWeb provide a list such as:-
XYZ Company
The Street
Town
County
Then I am not sure the DPA applies, if however the list is
Mr J Smith
The Street
Town
County
Then the DPA definetly applies....
My understanding is also that the DPA applies to data that is relating to Sole Traders or Partnerships. But not Limited Companies, PLC etc
>>2 million business names, addresses, phone numbers.
*********************************************
1.2 million contact names, with addresses and telephone number.
*********************************************
180,000 email addresses of key decision makers
300,000 businesses searchable by turnover – available by calling 0870 756 2844
1 million businesses searchable by employee number – only available by calling 0870 756 2844
10,000 new business records with full contacts every month (on average)
Top companies by county by sales or number of employees.<<
------------------------------------------
Contact names are different from Business names. So contact names would suggest a persons name, title (company role) email contact details etc.
Full contact info? Probably as above.
Could well be illegal, but they are a massive company who floated on the Stock Market etc, are established, so they must have a legal team that advises them on what they can and cannot do - so why are they risking breaking the law? Maybe it isn't illegal in some way, a loophole perhaps?
It's probably a opt-out clause if someone discovers they have their details, and if they request to be removed, then they just remove those details. Thus removing that form of data, avoiding investigation somehow.
I dunno.
What controls these lists is the use to which they are put. Anyone storing data must comply with the Data Protection Act and anyone wanting to use the data from a list broker should ensure they comply, too. In addition, it should be in line with the publication by DTI of the new Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) (Amendment) Regulations 2004.
When signing up for anything, business or personal, make sure you've read and understood the terms of the agreement and to what use your records are being protected or used.
