GDPR

[MsBeaujangles]

The GDPR has beefed up the previous requirement to ensure that data that is superfluous to requirement is not collected.

Why would data about a person's gender need to be collected? I don't think data about sex is needed in most instances.

Is a person's sex needed on a passport or driving liscence?

Perhaps now is the time to challenge organisations who ask for data about gender?

In what circumstances should data about sex be collected? I can see why it is important for registering births and in medical settings. I can also see why organisations may want to monitor the sex pay gap and sex equality in the work place.

Why do we need to say mr/mrs/miss etc, why doesn't a name suffice?

Crime statistics.

I can’t think of many —any— situations where gender is relevant just sex

Most data isn't being gathered for crime stats, though. It's online forms for buying something or ... One way or another, it's mostly mailing lists, and most of the time, your sex isn't relevant.

I'd lke to think this will see the end of forms where Title is a compulsory field (without the option of none,) but I don't think I will be holding my breath for it to happen quickly.

It might be a bit of a pain, but perhaps organisations should be asked to justify why they are asking for information about titles, gender etc.

When crime data is analysed, where does the data collected about sex originate from?

Why do we need to say mr/mrs/miss etc, why doesn't a name suffice?

I've been reading a book where rather than those, they just use M.

Which is perfect I think - if honorifics are your thing (and they are good for flagging polite intention).

Perhaps we could use this thread to collate those companies that have been challenged and the responses received?

Really like the idea of using M to signify formality

Companies have used 'gender' when they mean 'sex' for years and use them interchangeably. There is much work to be done. FYI sex is needed for example for pension information and for health screening/ private healthcare in my workplace.

I think M is perfect.

Is anyone else fed up with the 'Cookies' policy now?

kingfisher Those sound like legitimate reasons for recording sex.

Everyday sexism and sex stereotyping could be reduced if society took a more critical look at where and when sex differences are relevant.

Elendon - I am, but it also provides a good reminder to clear cookies more frequently

were I work we collect data on sex so we are able to design future services. We need to know how many of each sex access the service to ensure we have adequate provision in future. We also need it to find out, for example if single sex services are needed, in that case we can link sex and the reason services are turned down.

We don't collect titles cause we don't need them.

I have insisted that we stop using gender to collect this info cause it was confusing too distinct categories (sex and gender identity) so we now collect them separately. In all cases we give the option prefer not to say.

How would statistics highlighting discrimination based on sex be collated?

How would statistics showing which sex was assaulted by which sex be collated?

etc.