to go to the press?

[MyRealNameIsBrian]

My Local Authority Childrens' Services Department have accidentally posted me the confidential information of 21 local children who have been under the safeguarding team.
This information is the childrens' full names, dates of birth, parents names, and full addresses. For some of the children their school or other information is also included.

I was expecting some post from them but in the envelope was about 8 extra pages containing this information.

The department is in Special Measures.

Last year they breached the data protection act by disclosing my personal information to someone who should not have had it, which put me at risk. I did an official complaint about that and was not satisfied with the outcome.

When I realised what was in the envelope I was shaking with rage.

I contacted the Information Commissioner, they said to email the Data Protection team at the local authority, and then to fill in their online form with a copy of my email. I emailed the LA.

Then I rang the local paper (totally anonymously with my number withheld) they were very interested and thought that I had contacted them previously, which I haven't so it must have been someone else in a similar position.

My LA then contacted me asking to return the information. What should I do? I don't trust the LA to investigate properly or to stop it happening again.

WIBU to not return the information but to ring the press with full details?

BTW I'm a long term poster but namechanged for this.

That's terrible.

I wouldn't give any info to the press though. That's illegal too isn't it?

I think I would hand it in to the police?

Omg

No advice though

Think about posting this in Legal too, there are some super shit hot lawyers there who might not use AIBU.

Tell the press but be very careful indeed you don't accidentally disclose names and addresses yourself.

Full details as in what? As long as you do not disclose the children's/ families' personal data then no I don't think YABU. Sometimes naming and shaming is is the only way to get things sorted.

You must return the information. If you wanted to talk to the press first that would be a decision for your conscience but I would worry about what the press would report and breaching the confidentiality of those people involved.

What do you hope to achieve by going to the press?

Hmm. I'd take copies. Return the originals, follow the due process and see what happens before taking it further than that.

Mistakes can happen, why not speak directly to the person who sent it all to you and see if you can sort it all out.
I once had my working credit tax details sent to someone else by mistake, I got their's too, no real harm done as we simply posted it to the right person.
Mistakes should never happen but as Shakespeare said "Too err is human"

I haven't worked in data protection for about 10 years but I don't think you can legitimately keep the data- it doesn't belong to you even though they sent it to you- it still belongs to them. The company I worked for successfully forced another organisation to return mistakenly forwarded data via the data commissioner after an error.

I'm not saying you cant keep it- clearly there isn't much they can do to stop you copying or using it- but you may find it comes back to bite you should it go to court and will probably be inadmissible.

That said, haven't you already been to the press? Or do you mean the national press?

I think you have to return the information - you have absolutely no right to do otherwise - but I would contact your MP, the Chief Executive of the council, and the Director of Children's Services.

I would also take a series of photos of the pages you were sent, but with identifying information hidden - for example, if an address is given, you cut out a bit of paper and put it over the top before you take the photo so that it shows it is an address but cannot be read IYSWIM.

I would not attempt to show the sensitive information itself to the local paper, but I would show them the 'edited' photos.

Do not take copies!! Jesus, that's highly confidential information and you have no right to copy it or disseminate it at all.

Yes they made a horrible mistake and changes need to be made in the organisation, but not by you abusing their mistake and that information.

I contacted my local paper but didn't give my name or anything.

I understand that mistakes happen but two breaches that I am aware of in under a year? Another person has recently contacted the paper with a similar story.

This LA is leaking sensitive info like a sieve. I want to name and shame, give them a kick up the arse, ANYTHING to try and stop them doing this!!

I wouldn't want the childrens' or families info to be published, but i would want maybe a journalist to see it to verify its authenticity and then give them an anonymised version maybe?

I think these mistakes are very serious and showing a serious lack of procedure and control mechanisms. I wouldn't dismiss them. However I would be more inclined to pursue it through your MP, data commissioner etc than local press, not least because i wouldn't want to
Involve myself with the press as I wouldn't trust them.

The only safe way is to make a copy of one or two pages, cut out the names and addresses with scissors, then make further copies - and burn the bits you cut out.

Im shocked you go the press rather than the police. Personally id take back to the department and ask to see manager. Going to the press is the last thing ever id ever do!!!!! You risk giving the press details about at risk children!!!!

No use going to the Department concerned, londonrach, they'll cover it up. Police and MP (if of the opposite political persuasion to the council) rather than the press - but remember that your MP will not be your MP after next Monday when Parliament is dissolved.

I think it's disgraceful that you've gone to the press. How the hell does that help anyone??? In my opinion you've been an arse.

Ok andrew but the last thing op should do is go to the press!!!

The data protection act stipulates that you must return it.

While I understand your ire going to the press won't magically make a struggling department better.

If you care about seeing an improvement make an appointment with the head of service and your local mp and hand it over at that

I haven't gone to the press yet. I rang them for quick chat, to see what they said, with my number witheld and didn't give them my name.

I would report it to ofsted not the press. The press can't investigate it properly. Ofsted can.

I would say MP rather than press.

londonrach You are right. Police or MP when there is one. Meanwhile return the originals to the LA without mentioning that you have the doctored copies.

I did wonder about Ofsted.