From: hallam@w3.org
Date: Tue, 7 Nov 1995 05:13:09 +0800
To: frantz@netcom.com (Bill Frantz)
Subject: Re: Credentials Without Identity
In-Reply-To: <199511061951.LAA14798@netcom5.netcom.com>
Message-ID: <9511062041.AA15494@zorch.w3.org>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain



>At 13:35 11/5/95 +0100, Mats Bergstrom wrote:
>>This applies very much so in Sweden too. It *is* illegal to maintain any
>>database with 'information on persons' (like their email addresses) without
>>approval from the Data Inspection. But it's an open secret that this law
>>is broken on a massive front and no bureaucrat is really trying to uphold it.

>So the address book I keep in my hip pocket is illegal!

Not in the UK, any database maintained on a computer system is
covered under the act. Manual records are not. This distinction
is made because a group of senior conservative party members
and supporters finance a group who keep records of "political
disidents". These are available - for a fee for ue in checking
employees before giving them jobs.

Personally I think that this type of behaviour is unacceptable
in a democracy and that it demonstrates the arrogance of power.
I also think it falls plum center in the concerns of this group.
Should such groups be allowed to buy details of our spending 
habits from supermarkets? 


The UK law essentially means that data gathered for one pupose
may not be used for another. purpose without permission. It is
entirely OK to have an address book of email addresses for the
purpose of sending them mail.


	Phill