Citizen Advice Bureau - what information do they have access to?

JohnBravo

Hi everyone,
I have noticed that CAB forum is not maintained since 2012, I am not sure if this is the right place, probably not, in this case please move this topic to the right place, but I wanted to ask you this question anyway.
I know that CAB help people, but it came to my attention and made me a bit scared that their clerks have uncontrolled access to some nationwide databases and can obtain information about anyone.
Do they maintain any logs about whom they have queried the database?
I have confirmed information that they also query these databases for their personal interests completely unrelated to cases they work on sometimes just to satisfy their curiosity.
Whatever I still consider it unethical.

I know that they maintain some CASE database, but also have access to AdviserNet which is available for other agencies.
Please advise.
Thank you

GingerBob_3

JohnBravo wrote: »

Hi everyone,
I have noticed that CAB forum is not maintained since 2012, I am not sure if this is the right place, probably not, in this case please move this topic to the right place, but I wanted to ask you this question anyway.
I know that CAB help people, but it came to my attention and made me a bit scared that their clerks have uncontrolled access to some nationwide databases and can obtain information about anyone.
Do they maintain any logs about whom they have queried the database?
I have confirmed information that they also query these databases for their personal interests completely unrelated to cases they work on sometimes just to satisfy their curiosity.
Whatever I still consider it unethical.

I know that they maintain some CASE database, but also have access to AdviserNet which is available for other agencies.
Please advise.
Thank you

I very much doubt this. Specifically what databases do you think they have access to?

JohnBravo

You very much doubt it, but some CAB clerk is showing off that he can check anyone's details giving me some valid examples.

And this is regardless of the fact that govt agencies are poor in securing the data. This is usually abused externally and internally.
CAB is a charity that has a special govt mandate.
And please do not say that it is OK unless I have something to hide, even if I am aware that in the age of big data lots of people will give up their privacy for nothing.

Anyway good luck with your believes!

leespot

The CAB Service does not have access to a specific database which contains information about anyone. They do record every clients details that they help in their own central database which is accessible by all national bureau. However this database cannot be accessed without secure access - it is not available outside of the Citizens Advice network. It is not uncontrolled access either, every user has a login and there is an audit trail of who does what, and when.

What are the examples you mention?