Backup Anytime

Voter data privacy: For all the wrong reasons.
The reasoning of those opposed to selling electoral data in the UK is a cause for concern. The overwhelming support amongst election officials for an outright ban on the sale of data is to be condoned. Their reasoning and motivations may not be in the spirit of data protection. Almost 99% of administrators polled are in favour of a ban on the sale of voter data to marketing companies. This is good news. A little scratching below the surface and we find that common reasons given were that there was not enough money in it and that it may prevent some people from voting. Surely the most important reason to refrain from selling voter data is to protect personal information.

There has been an opt out option on English electoral forms since 2002 but things have moved on since then. Opt in requirement is the norm now in some far less contentious data areas than the electoral register. Most people with an awareness of data protection would even see an opt in as an infringement. A vote is a serious civic duty and to add additional boxes for the benefit of private companies is an intrusion and presents a risk of confusion possibly even affecting voter choice.

The Direct Marketing Association has claimed that since the majority of their members use the edited electoral list to confirm accuracy of existing detail that this could lead to more rather than less unwanted mail.

It is surely reasonable for voters to read from this that Direct Marketing Association members are therefore
knowingly sending mail to inaccurate lists and resolving errors as new poling info becomes available. Surely the Government will not allow this to continue and will ban further sales of voter information while increasing the watch over and sanction of organizations continuing to use mailing lists about which they are not 100% certain are accurate and insist that all lists are managed on an opt in basis with a specifically limited usage period in force.