Big Brother, Aunt Sally, Uncle Tom Cobbly & all...
Discussion
This Big Brother business might not bother those who trust the government to use their data about us properly. but consider this:
Apparently (according to my wife), when you advertise on AutoTrader's website now, you type in the Reg of the car your selling & Hey Presto, all the details pop up - they obviously have a DVLA database matching RegNo's to car details (Make, Model, Colour, CCs etc).
How long do you think it will be before the amount of available data expands?
How are we to know that Auto Trader don't already have a database which includes Owners' name & address etc... ?
Further, it only takes a little savvy once a copy of said database has been obtained to do reverse lookups - that is enter a make, model and colour to obtain a list of corresponding Reg.No's.
I don't recall signing any kind of agreement with DVLA to release any details of my vehicle.
Still, when I get hold of that database, I'll be able to display a different plate on my car every day.
Sweet
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Apparently (according to my wife), when you advertise on AutoTrader's website now, you type in the Reg of the car your selling & Hey Presto, all the details pop up - they obviously have a DVLA database matching RegNo's to car details (Make, Model, Colour, CCs etc).
How long do you think it will be before the amount of available data expands?
How are we to know that Auto Trader don't already have a database which includes Owners' name & address etc... ?
Further, it only takes a little savvy once a copy of said database has been obtained to do reverse lookups - that is enter a make, model and colour to obtain a list of corresponding Reg.No's.
I don't recall signing any kind of agreement with DVLA to release any details of my vehicle.
Still, when I get hold of that database, I'll be able to display a different plate on my car every day.
Sweet
***** Like Motoring ? Defend your right to do so! Join the Association of British Drivers - www.abd.org.uk/join.htm *****
...and autoglass!
I couldn't remember the reg of my Rover (second car before I get flamed) and they kept saying 'no... blue Vauxhall, try again... nope, red Transit, try again'. etc.
Must say, I bet car thieves love it. Makes ringing a car easier when you can give it a genuine reg that corresponds. If a prospective purchaser does an HPi on just the number plate it'll come up clear! A good reminder for us all to always do the VIN as well!!!!
Laters
Domster
I couldn't remember the reg of my Rover (second car before I get flamed) and they kept saying 'no... blue Vauxhall, try again... nope, red Transit, try again'. etc.
Must say, I bet car thieves love it. Makes ringing a car easier when you can give it a genuine reg that corresponds. If a prospective purchaser does an HPi on just the number plate it'll come up clear! A good reminder for us all to always do the VIN as well!!!!
Laters
Domster
quote:I might be wrong about this but I consider insurance companies in a different 'class' from AutoTrader, because being an insurer binds you in all kinds of red tape designed to ensure confidentiality and such like. Though yes, I'm aware of the shared database of claims etc that insurers have. At least they haven't started publishing that on their sites yet...
Insurance companies have used the same database for a while now.
quote:I see... I'm clearly behind the times.. though I don't recall Admiral's site doing that for mine..
If you ask for an online quote they will pop up the same info when you enter your reg number.
well, FWIW I don't agree with it. Or maybe I'm just turning into a conspiracy theorist.. lol
Arrrgh! Wooly Mammoth...
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Edited by derekmuesli on Tuesday 16th October 16:57
must have missed that one ? tell me more....
***** Like Motoring ? Defend your right to do so! Join the Association of British Drivers - www.abd.org.uk/join.htm *****
***** Like Motoring ? Defend your right to do so! Join the Association of British Drivers - www.abd.org.uk/join.htm *****
Yep and Pizza Hut know my address from the post code !!!! 
On a serious note you will find that the regulations regarding disclosure of details on vehicles (and owners!) from DVLA simply says "if the interested party has a valid reason for asking for the information" they can give it !!!! possible as ambiguous as it gets !! Joe Public already has the ability to obtain owner details on a specific reg or VIN by simply sending "a small admin fee" (£2.50 I think) and reason for asking to DVLA. My company frequently does this to obtain details of the last registered keeper of burnt out or abandoned vehicles dumped on its premises or ground.
Its sh1t I know and open to all sorts of criminal exploitation, try asking any friend in the Police to do a PNC check on a reg and wait for the reaction, very very few would do it (freemason or not) as it could cost them their job and pension and is enforced very strongly. Yet DVLA will tell anyone with a "valid reason" be that commercial or not.
It should however be remembered that although we find it offensive that Auto Trader can do this we love the fact that HPI can use the same information to our advantage. Both concerns are profit making organisation and use DVLA's database (for a fee) to make money. As such it would be hard legally to stop it without causing some harm.
P.S. Does anyone know the details of the Data Protection Act well enough to see if that may be applicable in this case ????
Oh yes just using this for no relevant reason apart from I like it
On a serious note you will find that the regulations regarding disclosure of details on vehicles (and owners!) from DVLA simply says "if the interested party has a valid reason for asking for the information" they can give it !!!! possible as ambiguous as it gets !! Joe Public already has the ability to obtain owner details on a specific reg or VIN by simply sending "a small admin fee" (£2.50 I think) and reason for asking to DVLA. My company frequently does this to obtain details of the last registered keeper of burnt out or abandoned vehicles dumped on its premises or ground.
Its sh1t I know and open to all sorts of criminal exploitation, try asking any friend in the Police to do a PNC check on a reg and wait for the reaction, very very few would do it (freemason or not) as it could cost them their job and pension and is enforced very strongly. Yet DVLA will tell anyone with a "valid reason" be that commercial or not.
It should however be remembered that although we find it offensive that Auto Trader can do this we love the fact that HPI can use the same information to our advantage. Both concerns are profit making organisation and use DVLA's database (for a fee) to make money. As such it would be hard legally to stop it without causing some harm.
P.S. Does anyone know the details of the Data Protection Act well enough to see if that may be applicable in this case ????
Oh yes just using this for no relevant reason apart from I like it
I don't think you have a Case for the DPA. Personal data is data related and linked to a specific person and can be considered unavailable through public means. Eg electral role, phone book etc.
Or classed sensitive material (which it isn't)
For you to prosecute you would have to show that knowledge of a particular car was linked to an owner and that this was in some way an invasion of your personal rights.
Equally Government Bodies such as the DVLA will be exempt from some of the principals of the act. Under the prevention of crime part.
Or classed sensitive material (which it isn't)
For you to prosecute you would have to show that knowledge of a particular car was linked to an owner and that this was in some way an invasion of your personal rights.
Equally Government Bodies such as the DVLA will be exempt from some of the principals of the act. Under the prevention of crime part.
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