Slashdot Mirror
UK Company Sold Workers' Secret Data
krou writes "The BBC is reporting that the Information Commissioner's Office has shut down a company in the UK for a serious breach of the Data Protection Act. It claims that the company, The Consulting Association in Droitwich, Worcs, ran a secret system that it repeatedly denied existed for 15 years, selling workers' confidential data, including union activities, to building firms, allowing potential employers to unlawfully vet job applicants. About 3,213 workers were in the database, and other information included data on personal relationships, political affiliations, and employment histories. More than 40 firms are believed to have used the service, paying a £3,000 annual fee, and each of them will be investigated, too." The article says that The Consulting Association faces a £5,000 fine — after pulling in £1.8 million over 15 years with its illegal blacklist.
Well, it was. This is an old school method...currently being replaced by just scanning the internet in general, target searching on Facebook and the like.
As much as the old music industry is hurting with online distribution, so will services like this due to this kind of information being out there for free.
Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
"It's kind of hard to say "continue, please" louder than by slapping such an enormous fine."
Oh come on, it worked with Microsoft. Oh right...
Michael Reed, freelance tech writer.