Data protection act.

peter_the_piper

Went to sign my DD up for internet and phone with a well know company. After going through all the details it got to the point of signing up and he then asked if DD was present. No was the answer, then I can't do anything because of the DPA. As DD won't be available thats why I'm doing it. Sorry can't help.
Ok says I.
Goes to web site and signs up with no problems.
Why on earth is DPA involved on phone and not on website?

mountainofdebt

Perhaps its because on the internet you can be anyone you like but in real life you can't - hence you could pretend to be your daughter on line but not when you phoned.

peter_the_piper

Yes, but how would that have helped, they got all the same details. Data protection is for data held by them not what I'm giving them.
Just felt frustrated and needed a rant.

RadoJo

peter_the_piper wrote: »

Yes, but how would that have helped, they got all the same details. Data protection is for data held by them not what I'm giving them.
Just felt frustrated and needed a rant.

In fairness, the DPA is not just to protect data held by them, it's also to prevent changes being made to that data by someone who isn't authorised. As you were (from what I can gather) trying to activate a new service in your daughter's name it makes complete sense that they would be unwilling to activate this knowing that your daughter was not involved in the process.

peter_the_piper

Granted, so logically I should not have ben able to activate a new service online. DPA should work the same for both.

Helix

There is probably a statement in the terms and conditions about DPA and by agreeing to the terms you agree that you are the person that is signing up.

How else would they do it online - activate a webcam to check that you are the person you say you are?

Crazy_Jamie

peter_the_piper wrote: »

Granted, so logically I should not have ben able to activate a new service online. DPA should work the same for both.

Whilst I see your point, how is it going to work the same online? You are perfectly entitled to enter into a contract on your daughter's behalf if you are acting as her agent, but over the phone they verify this by asking to speak with her. Over the internet they have no such option, so rely on the honesty of the person filling in the forms. Realistically, what else can they do?

no1catman

peter_the_piper wrote: »

Went to sign my DD up for internet and phone with a well know company. After going through all the details it got to the point of signing up and he then asked if DD was present. No was the answer, then I can't do anything because of the DPA. As DD won't be available thats why I'm doing it. Sorry can't help.
Ok says I.
Goes to web site and signs up with no problems.
Why on earth is DPA involved on phone and not on website?

I think what is being missed here is verification. If it is done via the internet - it can be traceable - via the Service provider. There is an 'audit trail' of accountability. Whereas over the 'phone, no such way exists.
No doubt in most cases if someone rang to organise something for another person - the other person wouldn't object. But what happens when the 'other person' does object ... If the action was via the 'phone the organisation can't justify much less prove prior permission.

dacouch

no1catman wrote: »

I think what is being missed here is verification. If it is done via the internet - it can be traceable - via the Service provider. There is an 'audit trail' of accountability. Whereas over the 'phone, no such way exists.
No doubt in most cases if someone rang to organise something for another person - the other person wouldn't object. But what happens when the 'other person' does object ... If the action was via the 'phone the organisation can't justify much less prove prior permission.

Have you ever heard of proxy servers