How long can the AA keep my personal data ?

AirCooledHeaven

Three weeks ago I cancelled my AA membership due to a ridiculous renewal premium. Since then I've had 2 letters and one call asking me to renew.

So I rang this morning to ask them to delete all my details from their system. What they told me is that they'd 'suppress' all future calls and letters but they would not delete my personal data and furthermore they'd be keeping it for the next six years. When I queried if this was allowed under the data protection act they said yes.

What the hell? I can see them hanging on to it for a year just in case I decide to go back in 12 months time, but six years?

By the way, I've never had a credit agreement with them or a monthly payment plan or anything like that.

What are my rights here ?

Thanks

Bantex_2

Nothing to stop them keeping it forever. Cannot see what the problem is though.

They would have dropped the premium to lower than the competition if you had asked.

OlliesDad

I believe they need to keep the data for accounting purposes.

AirCooledHeaven

Bantex wrote: »

Nothing to stop them keeping it forever. Cannot see what the problem is though.

They would have dropped the premium to lower than the competition if you had asked.

Their ridiculous renewal qouote was AFTER their retentions department offered me 30 % discount, but that's not the point of my OP.

tomtontom

Bantex wrote: »

Nothing to stop them keeping it forever. Cannot see what the problem is though.

They would have dropped the premium to lower than the competition if you had asked.

The DPA stops them from keeping it forever, but does allow them to keep it for a reasonable period. This is not defined, but six years is generally found to be acceptable for audit purposes.

Ectophile

The six year period doesn't surprise me. If you decided to sue them for some reason (perhaps alleging that you were mis-sold a product), then you have six years from the date of the alleged loss to do so.

It wouldn't be fair on them to insist that they destroy all data they hold on you just before you launch a lawsuit. They would then have no evidence to use to defend themselves with.