DPA for a forum?

razta · #1 (**permalink**) 20-09-2008, 22:32

Hello,
This is my first post so forgive me if its in the wrong place or if the topic has already been discussed.

Ive searched google for my answer to no avail and hoping that you guys and gals could shed some light on the subject for me.

My question is:
If a user on a forum, like this one for example, wanted their account deleting, including their posts. Is the bussiness or individul who runs the forum oblidged by law to delete their account if they request it?

Thanks in advance.

Indizine · #2 (**permalink**) 21-09-2008, 09:18

Go to www.ico.gov.uk to review the laws on data protection.

As it goes, personal information on individuals must only be kept for a maximum period time limit and this can vary pending the nature of the data.

However, data you put into the public domain yourself, which is different to personal data collected by the company, may be viewed differently.

I have also asked another forum to remove my posts but they have thus far refused. One can only imagine they dont want to lose a lot of posts in one go, because that will set a precedent for any more that want their entire post history deleting. There seems to be no other reason as being over 6 months old they would be archived by now anyway.

I havent had the time recently, so if you find out more, let me know.

razta · #3 (**permalink**) 21-09-2008, 22:07

Thanks for the info.

I'll keep you updated if I find anything out.

Inzvestor · #4 (**permalink**) 22-09-2008, 17:33

What happens when you find out that your posts, identity etc have been replicated on another forum (publicly available) without your knowledge?

Many people sign up to a forum to discuss topics relevant to that forum and like to protect their identity and branding as such.

What legislation is there to stop people taking a dump of the user information in part of full and populating a forum that may or may not go against their beliefs?

Is this sufficient? and does anyone have any case law surrounding this?
http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documen...ation_v1.1.pdf

Indizine · #5 (**permalink**) 22-09-2008, 17:57

That forms seems to refer to 'sharing personal information; such that it would reveal the identity of a person.

Posts on a forum are not personal data and you dont put your full name, address or telephone number in there unless you have entered it into a public directory but then you should have the right to edit that or at least, have it removed. Forums dont tend to collect such personal data.

Inzvestor · #6 (**permalink**) 22-09-2008, 18:45

Ok, so that issue aside, what about point 1?

How about signatures as they are identifiable?

Beneddie1112 · #7 (**permalink**) 22-09-2008, 18:45

Surely the signatures, which are included at the end of every post, are personal data? They contain information about members business.

Indizine · #8 (**permalink**) 22-09-2008, 19:18

Signaturs are not personal data. They have been added, by the user, for the prupose of public display.

Generally the DPA refers to protecting, thus hiding, your personal data which you provide to a company, but not for the purpose of public display or sharing with a third party.

Inzvestor · #9 (**permalink**) 22-09-2008, 19:20

What of someones posts are migrated to another forum without their consent and the signatures (identifiable) are transferred across too - putting a person or company in a situation where they are portrayed as supporting a cause (by being signed up to the forum) when they may not wish to be?

Indizine · #10 (**permalink**) 22-09-2008, 19:24

then it is not a DPA matter. They are copying, not revealing personal data.

Perhaps the forum from where it is being copied from, should be responsible for ensuring they protect the members and their content.