Company Sells Classified Info

Company Sells Classified Info

The Consulting Association has been shut down by the Information Commissione's Office for selling personal information of workers. The company has been gathering data for 15 years and storing them in a database for auction. 
 

The database constitutes information on personal relationships, political affiliations, trade-union activity and past employment history. Balfour Beatty bought the data for £3,000 a year, £2.20 per access to certain records.

 

The ICO will be turning the heat on The Consulting Association's owner, Ian Kerr as well as the companies who took advantage of the data auction. 

 

Deputy information commissioner David Smith said, "The construction companies that were his customers, we have to investigate and find out just what their involvement is."

 

"But what we're looking to do there is issue enforcement proceedings against those that were involved and that'll put them essentially on notice that if they get involved in this illegal trade again, then they will face prosecution."