freedom of info act

sensei_aki

Apparently to request what personal info a company has on you, you need to pay a charge each time.

Is there a way to bypass this, to get your info back for nothing?

many thanks

keep dry.

me :money:

Wyndham

I think you are mixing up the Freedom of Information Act and the Data Protection Act.

The Freedom of Information Act allows anyone to request information from public bodies (government, educational establishments etc) in general terms. So one I dealt with professionally recently was about the number of applications to my workplace from particular countries. They can ask for general numbers, but cannot under the act ask for things like names and addresses.

If you want to know about particular information a company holds on you, this is under the Data Protection Act where you have the right to see information held. I don't think that there is generally a charge for this, and I would suggest you contact the company concerned, quote the DPA as being your reason, and good luck!

nickmack

Wyndham wrote: »

If you want to know about particular information a company holds on you, this is under the Data Protection Act where you have the right to see information held. I don't think that there is generally a charge for this, and I would suggest you contact the company concerned, quote the DPA as being your reason, and good luck!

Up to £10 can be charged for this information under the provisions of the Act. Not all companies will charge this though, so as you say, check and see what their policy is.

esuhl

A little off topic, but...

I remember reading that you are entitled to apply for CCTV footage under the Data Protection Act (if you are shown in it).

Some funny guys got dressed in in theatrical costume, re-enacted mini-plays under the gaze of CCTV, and then applied for the videos under the DPA - they were charged the legal maximum of £10 a go.

sensei_aki

thanks guys

dunstonh

If it is regarding a complaint, the company can reject any request to supply that data.

LittleVoice

Dunstonh

What do you mean? Where do you read this in the legislation?

LV

dunstonh

Durant vs Barclays.

Its still ongoing having gone through the high court and appeal and now going to Europe.

dmg24

dunstonh,

I have just read a summary of Durant v. Barclays, and it is not as simple as
'If it is regarding a complaint, the company can reject any request to supply that data'.

The ratio of the case was actually regarding what constituted 'personal data'.

A good summary of the case to date can be found at:

http://www.nadpo.org.uk/content/durant

dunstonh

The first judgement was different. It seems to get expanded on with each court/appeal.

Earlier reports had it that you cannot use data protection as an excuse to go fishing in the companies files for evidence that you can then use against them in a complaint or litigation.

dmg24

dunstonh wrote: »

The first judgement was different. It seems to get expanded on with each court/appeal.

Earlier reports had it that you cannot use data protection as an excuse to go fishing in the companies files for evidence that you can then use against them in a complaint or litigation.

That is correct, but doesn't explain the whole story. You still have your usual rights under the DPA, but the court found that the 'personal data' covered by the Act did not relate to absolutely everything that had your name mentioned in it.

'Personal data' (ie that available under the DPA) was summarised as

information affecting a person’s privacy whether in his personal or family life, business or professional capacity.