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A NUMBER OF credit unions have reacted angrily to a story that said they had used stolen data to “snoop” on members.
A newspaper yesterday carried a front page story entitled “How credit unions used stolen data to snoop on customers”.
The story outlined how a private investigator hired by 12 credit unions to track members who owed money had used illegal techniques to obtain data from state bodies. The investigator allegedly misrepresented themselves in order to obtain addresses from the Department of Social Protection.
The Data Protection Commissioner has confirmed that none of the credit unions are being investigated.
While none of the institutions deny using the investigator, there are some who are angry at the way the Irish Independent story was presented, claiming they knew nothing of the methods employed.
“This isn’t actually a credit unions story,” said one senior credit union source.
“This is about an individual who used sleight of hand to obtain addresses illegally.
“This is about an individual who obtained data in an illegal way. All the credit unions were doing was trying to recover money that was owed.
The story here is how was that data so readily available.
It is believed that the investigator in question is facing criminal action for breaching the Data Protection Act in the past.
Condemned
A spokesperson for the Irish League of Credit Unions moved to distance the movement from the illegality.
“Credit Unions were unaware that illegal means of data collection were being used. If this was being done, it was without the credit unions’ permission or knowledge. Credit Unions would not knowingly employ any company who use illegal tactics and we certainly do not in any way condone the use of securing information by illicit means.
We are aware that the Data Commissioner is not pursuing the credit unions in this matter but rather the private investigators directly.
The Data Protection Commissioner confirmed that an investigation into tracing agents who may have passed data to a number of bodies, not just credit unions.
The Department of Social Protection, which holds personal information in respect of every citizen in the State, is one organisation which has been the target of the suspected unlawful activity.
“The Department has been cooperating fully with this Office’s investigation. As a result of the investigation, the Data Protection Commissioner has commenced prosecution proceedings in the District Court against some private investigators who are suspected of breaches of the Data Protection Acts.
“While those matters are before the Court, this Office is unable to comment any further on the matter.”
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Tell us exactly what ‘outcome’ you want Jeffrey, you know, with precise details and all that.
We all know what you don’t want !
@offside again: Jeffery would be more than happy to rip up the Good Friday agreement if given a chance
@Alan Scott: Why not ?
The opening section states
“It is hereby declared that Northern Ireland in its entirety remains part of the United Kingdom and shall not cease to be so without the consent of a majority of the people of Northern Ireland voting in a poll held for the purposes of this section in accordance with Schedule 1.”
IN IT’S ENTIRETY…
Unionists and Loyalists have been let down and betrayed by the breaching of the Belfast Agreement….
The Belfast Agreement was actually “tweaked” to facilitate the NI Protocol
It is not ripped up…it has been shredded
@Alan Scott: Should have been ripped up many yrs ago considering how many times SF/IRA broke the rules in it . Their terrorists caught red handed in Central America training FARC rebels in 2003 .
@offside again: Jeffery wants a wall along the border, a bridge to Scotland, and all Catholic landowners evicted.
He realises the game is up. I wouldn’t be surprised if the British Government haven’t told him take your chances . They’ve had enough.
No donaldson you relic,you and your dup cronies are the only obstacle to the huge benifits the windsor framework provides,lets call a spade a spade,yee just cannot stomach playing second fiddle to michelle o neil,thats the brunt of the matter
@David Clarke: If it is really offers such “huge benefits” then why are so many nationalists in Northern Ireland still calling for a border poll then ???
Take your time ………..
Get to work, Mr Donalson. Stop procrastinating.
Unionism is dead…long live the new Republic!!!!
@liam preston: May the force be with you.
Since Feb 22 they have been trying to get what they want and clearly uk gov are not for turning. Time for DUP to get real
Harming their economy?
The only thing that’s harming their economy right now is the DUP.
Get back to work ya orange jaffa cake…
Tail wagging dog much?
“Not planning for failure” well, well they have already failed the majority of the people by stalling the installation of a Legislative Authority for NI.
The DUP and followers get strength from their sense of isolation…but from what are they isolated ? It seems they have a sense of dread of reprisal that if they were the minority in a 32 county Ireland they would then suffer as the nationalists did in the 6 counties. I think they should be called out on this if only to hear their position.
@JP: No they fear they would suffer as Protestants in the Free State Suffered
The largest exodus in Europe between the 2 World Wars
Sir Jeffrey is the best recruiting Sargent for Sinn Fein
@John Conforms: And you are the best recruiting agent for The Oxford English Dictionary.
It be great if they could be sent back and housed where the originally came from. Imagine the peace we would have on this lovely island. I imagine they would be far happier too. Lads you be even more British if yous move to mainland UK.
Delusional, you simply cannot plan for failure when you have already achieved it. It’s the first an only time I’ve ever agreed with Jeff.
They really are on an alternate Planet.
Why can’t they just be somewhat reasonable. Change is coming, everyone knows it. They need to adapt or extinction looms large. England s interest in our 6 counties is at an end. Poor Jeff is not reading the room. Dodo United Party, we know what happened to the poor old Dodo!!
Jeffrey do you hear the bell calling you from the mainland U.K. ? It’s at Westminter at Parliamentary buildings.
Don’t go blaming the Irish Government on this like you love doing.
Donaldson will have to get it into his head he will be playing second fiddle to Michel for a long time.
Hey ho here we go again
For whatever reason nationalists seem intent on pushing Loyalists back to a war footing.
@Gertrude Gilmore: sorry its the loyalists making all the threats.
The reality is that in a 32 county Peoples Republic DUP would be the largest party after the first election
@John Conforms: the reality is that the DUP is not even the largest party in Northern Irelamd
@John Conforms: not very good at maths there. I think you will find that Sinn Fein would be the largest party.
@liam Preston.
#NotMyRepublic
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