EU Data Protection Law and offshore call centres

Simon Muir · 20-10-2006, 11:54 AM

I believe it is right to do all possible to prevent jobs being exported (or given to jerrymandering political immigrants). So I've just written (on company paper) to Thus, my ISP, enclosing a cheque for something, and adding the line:

"Please note that we have a company policy of not divulging confidential information to Indian subcontinent based call centres, use of which we believe to be in breach of the spirit of EU data protection law, if not the letter."

Do you think we might start a campaign on this basis?

Aardvark · 20-10-2006, 12:53 PM

Funnily enough I have, this week, refused to pass information to a firm in New Delhi (having made the mistake last week before I twigged).

The person in New Delhi had my name, address, 'phone numbers, last 2 bank statements for the bank in question (MBNA) and date of birth. I could establish this in conversation since he knew who I was, that I was on my home 'phone (that gave him the clue, I didn't tell him my name) and asked for my DOB for security reasons. When I refused my DOB he asked me to confirm the first line of my address.

I refused to pass or confirm any details over insecure means. I was then given a fresh 0800 number that found me a Spanish lady in Chester!! She did better, but still didn't understand some of the colloquial terms I used and didn't know the common TLAs I used.

If everyone refuses to pass information to offshore companies the system breaks down and the jobs will be returned.

Interstingly the Indian guy said his firm was regsitered under the DPA. This is true of the UK office since they will have to provide contact details to the Information Commissioner, which he displays on his website.

The DPA 1998 is UK legislation, albeit from a gold plated EU directive. It has no effect in India. If the Indian branch of the company breaches our rules there is no come back in this country. If an offshore company claims to be registered under the DPA they are telling porkies!!! I will be complaining to MBNA's head office.

Simon Muir · 20-10-2006, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aardvark

The DPA 1998 is UK legislation, albeit from a gold plated EU directive. It has no effect in India. If the Indian branch of the company breaches our rules there is no come back in this country. If an offshore company claims to be registered under the DPA they are telling porkies!!! I will be complaining to MBNA's head office.

Hence my wording above. If they realise the EUropean court might be involved, one can but hope it frightens them (heck, it frightens me!).

One has to wonder why a certain supposedly-patriotic party isn't doing this already. It's not racism, so why leave the field for the BNP to occupy it by default?

colin smith · 24-10-2006, 05:12 PM

Hi Aardvark,
If everybody does what I do when I get a call from a foreign call centre, then eventually they will be forced to come back to this Country.
I say to the person on the other end of the line...." Can you speak English, I don't understand you", and then put the phone down.

John Carter · 24-10-2006, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colin smith

I say to the person on the other end of the line...." Can you speak English, I don't understand you", and then put the phone down.

You obviously meant to say "canna ye speak English, I doon understand ye".

20-10-2006, 11:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
Simon Muir Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bristol Posts: 166	EU Data Protection Law and offshore call centres I believe it is right to do all possible to prevent jobs being exported (or given to jerrymandering political immigrants). So I've just written (on company paper) to Thus, my ISP, enclosing a cheque for something, and adding the line: "Please note that we have a company policy of not divulging confidential information to Indian subcontinent based call centres, use of which we believe to be in breach of the spirit of EU data protection law, if not the letter." Do you think we might start a campaign on this basis?

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20-10-2006, 12:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
Aardvark Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Oxonia Posts: 4,253	Funnily enough I have, this week, refused to pass information to a firm in New Delhi (having made the mistake last week before I twigged). The person in New Delhi had my name, address, 'phone numbers, last 2 bank statements for the bank in question (MBNA) and date of birth. I could establish this in conversation since he knew who I was, that I was on my home 'phone (that gave him the clue, I didn't tell him my name) and asked for my DOB for security reasons. When I refused my DOB he asked me to confirm the first line of my address. I refused to pass or confirm any details over insecure means. I was then given a fresh 0800 number that found me a Spanish lady in Chester!! She did better, but still didn't understand some of the colloquial terms I used and didn't know the common TLAs I used. If everyone refuses to pass information to offshore companies the system breaks down and the jobs will be returned. Interstingly the Indian guy said his firm was regsitered under the DPA. This is true of the UK office since they will have to provide contact details to the Information Commissioner, which he displays on his website. The DPA 1998 is UK legislation, albeit from a gold plated EU directive. It has no effect in India. If the Indian branch of the company breaches our rules there is no come back in this country. If an offshore company claims to be registered under the DPA they are telling porkies!!! I will be complaining to MBNA's head office.

24-10-2006, 05:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
colin smith Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 181	Hi Aardvark, If everybody does what I do when I get a call from a foreign call centre, then eventually they will be forced to come back to this Country. I say to the person on the other end of the line...." Can you speak English, I don't understand you", and then put the phone down.