To not want to share so much personal data just to find out about swimming lessons?

[Lemons25]

I’m trying to enquire with local swimming lesson companies - Aqua Babies, Little Squids etc - about information on their swimming lessons.

Their websites asked me for baby’s full name, DOB, and postcode in order to send an enquiry.

So I found email addresses and emailed them directly. They replied to say they can only send me info about class times and availability if I give them the above information “to create a file.”

AIBU not to want to give them that? I don’t see a reason for them to have that data at this stage. I have told them I’m looking for weekend classes for a X month old. Why can’t they tell me if they have any?!

Just make the info up? Use a throw away email

YANBU. I'm so fed up with places asking for excessive data beyond what they reasonably need to process a basic request and then doubling down on spurious reasons as to why they "really need that info" when they patently don't. It's not a good way to build relationships with people.

This is becoming more common with online enquiries. I want to know the price without giving my details.

I assume it's for marketing reasons.

Just make up the details. When they send you the info you can then rebook in the correct name.

Although, they may be in breach of DP rules as I can't see any operational need to require those details to be kept on file just for answering a query about swimming times.

Maybe ask to speak with the manager and enquire about their reasons for needing that personal data, tell them that you are seeking clarification before you report them to the ICO.

They may change their booking policy rapidly.

I can understand asking for it on a webform if it would make a material difference to the answer you were given (e.g. postcode for different locations, dob so they can see if there are spaces in the correct age group etc). What doesn't make sense is making the information mandatory before a query containing the relevant info is answered, or the need to create a file.

I had the exact same, just wanted a rough price (ended up being an eye watering £18 for half an hour, on mat pay no thanks lol) and they called me specifically to tell me the price. They called twice, and were kind of pushy. Put me right off.

I generally use a fake birthdate within range of credibility. Companies are appallingly bad at managing personal data and the ICO is not fit for purpose. Take a look at their reported incident register.

But I'd do what @Chiseltip suggests because I am quite arsey too :)

YANBU, I don’t know why, but swimming lessons are ALWAYS the hardest thing to organise and a total pain in the ass! There’s a massive gap in the market for simple, straightforward swimming lessons 😁 I’s email back saying ‘ok well you’ll lose my custom then’ (in a more eloquent and polite way), or if I really want swimming lessons I’d make something up. They don’t need the kid’s real DOB or address, it’s not like they’re gonna send a birthday present 😂

Whatever happened to simple swimming/ leisure centre timetables with all the information on a nice simple grid. It drives me round the bend.

When I look up my local leisure centre, you have to plough through all the classes of the council facilities. I miss picking up an A5 flyer with the timetable for that venue. So much easier to process!

That’s really bad - there’s no lawful basis for processing that information in that scenario.

Quite. I'm no GDPR expert but pretty sure you must have a good reason for each piece of personal information collected.

I am also sick of websites demanding personal information from me for basic functions and almost every website now requires you to sign up & log in.

I usually make up the information but it still takes so long for such straightforward activities. I miss the old Internet .

Thank you all!