Data protection act stupidity

Mr_Wistles · 19-12-2007, 11:33 AM

How ridiculous is this.

Found a Blackberry in the street on the way to work but it is locked so I couldn't get a phone number off it. I took the sim out and put it in my phone so I could get the number (unfortunately there are no numbers on the sim, they must be on the Blackberry). The phone has now ran out of batteries so nobody will be able to ring it.

Called up Vodafone, gave them the number and I said can you tell me which company this is registered to (it is a corporate phone) so I can hand it in.

Them - "Sorry sir, that is against the data protection act"

Me - "All I want to know is the name of the company so I can hand it in, that is not a breach of the data protection act"

Them - "Sorry sir, that is against the data protection act"

Them - "Can, you hand it into lost property"

Me - "Certainly, which companies lost property"

Them - "Sorry sir, I can't tell you that"

Me - "So I need to guess?"

Them - "Yes Sir"

Me - "Does that sound stupid to you"

Me - "I work in the middle of central London there must be over 10 thousand companies"

Them - "Sorry Sir, Merry Christmas"

Why do I bother

andykn · 19-12-2007, 12:06 PM

As far as I know the Data Protection Act only applies to individuals. So they could say it belongs to ABC ltd without breaking the Data Protection Act.

It may be reasonable from a client confidentiality point of view. They only have your word for it that it's locked. They should have aked you to take it to the nearest Vodafone store where they would arrange for it to be reunited with it's owner.

pixelpixel · 19-12-2007, 12:16 PM

How is it silly !!!! They only give info to the account holder.

You tried to help and they refused to help you. Just hand it in to a shop and also ask for proof that 'you' handed it in, might be an award !!!. Could be some personal data on it for 4,000+ people

JohnG · 19-12-2007, 12:34 PM

Why don't you just hand it in at a police station near where you found it ?

sim667 · 19-12-2007, 12:40 PM

dont complain, u just got a free blackberry

Mr_Wistles · 19-12-2007, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnG

Why don't you just hand it in at a police station near where you found it ?

Yeah, I will walk up there after work.

Can't believe the company, would not be that hard for them to say Deutsche or Goldmans.

pixelpixel · 19-12-2007, 12:48 PM

Or even play give us a clue !

Daddy k · 19-12-2007, 1:57 PM

try charging it (may be the simple mini usb job) you could power it using a usb to mini usb from your pc, then try and see who its registered too?

if not it does seem the world is against doing the right thing

sim667 · 19-12-2007, 3:55 PM

Ebay!

Or accidentally lose it on kingsway in the next 5 mins so i can find it

If you hand it in to the police and its not claimed in 30 days its urs anyway....

Mr_Wistles · 19-12-2007, 3:56 PM

It is the worst Blackberry on earth, the first colour one and it is in bad condition.

I would be lucky to get a tenner on ebay for it.

andykn · 19-12-2007, 4:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sim667

Ebay!

Or accidentally lose it on kingsway in the next 5 mins so i can find it

If you hand it in to the police and its not claimed in 30 days its urs anyway....

Not phones. They don't hand those back because they contain personal data.

McFaber · 19-12-2007, 5:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell_Piper

It is the worst Blackberry on earth, the first colour one and it is in bad condition.

I would be lucky to get a tenner on ebay for it.

Get the hammer out and give it a good wallop.....

Only do this, after you decide you don't want it for yourself..

sim667 · 20-12-2007, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andykn

Not phones. They don't hand those back because they contain personal data.

DOH!

**Stuart Wright** · 20-12-2007, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sim667

dont complain, u just got a free blackberry

Quote:

Originally Posted by sim667

Ebay!

Or accidentally lose it on kingsway in the next 5 mins so i can find it

If you hand it in to the police and its not claimed in 30 days its urs anyway....

I bet you'll be referring people to these posts as a character reference.
NOT!

Crocodile · 20-12-2007, 1:35 PM

Now that you know the number, I guess you could ring it & leave a voicemail asking them to contact you.

Mr_Wistles · 20-12-2007, 1:37 PM

No voicemail unfortunately.

I handed it in to the old bill last night.

sim667 · 20-12-2007, 1:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart Wright

I bet you'll be referring people to these posts as a character reference.
NOT!

HAHA, im not a dodgy chap, i just know that if i handed something like that into a police station one of the coppers would claim it for themselves, dont be so naive to think they'll actually find its owner

dejongj · 20-12-2007, 2:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sim667

HAHA, im not a dodgy chap, i just know that if i handed something like that into a police station one of the coppers would claim it for themselves, dont be so naive to think they'll actually find its owner

That is such nonsense! I handed a Nokia 8800 in at the police station somewhere in London....Didn't expect any more of it, but was contacted later and received £50 for the effort from the owner! Something I would do as well!

Oh forgot to mention, the Police actually have a special unit where all the phones end up and they do all find an owner....Bit more difficult if you are not a contract customer of course......But if you have a contract the process is quite quick.

McFaber · 21-12-2007, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell_Piper

I handed it in to the old bill last night.

I would have done the same....honestly

Having lost the same (w810i)mobile phone on a bus, taxi and a nightclub due my forgetful nature and I'm still getting it back....

Does no one want my phone

*avinitski* · 21-12-2007, 2:46 AM

whilst your intentions are genuine there is no way for the operator to know who you are or you intentions.

with all the current hoohaa regarding peoples personal data the company did the right thing and told you jack.

just finding one little detail about somebody can open other doors for them to get more personal data, bit by bit they can build a profile of somebody.

Fred Quimby · 21-12-2007, 8:42 AM

Does this mean the end of Yellow Pages and directories

Mr_Wistles · 21-12-2007, 9:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avinitski

whilst your intentions are genuine there is no way for the operator to know who you are or you intentions.

with all the current hoohaa regarding peoples personal data the company did the right thing and told you jack.

Not sure what damage I could do knowing someone at company X owned a Blackberry.

Alan_W · 21-12-2007, 10:06 AM

I would have taken a chance and handed it in to the nearest tax office. Chances are.........