Comments on: Update 2: Privacy Alert: O2 Fixes Hole That Shared Users’ Phone Numbers http://paidcontent.org/2012/01/25/419-privacy-alert-o2-accused-of-sharing-mobile-surfers-phone-numbers/ The economics of digital content Thu, 23 May 2013 14:43:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Martin Sloan http://paidcontent.org/2012/01/25/419-privacy-alert-o2-accused-of-sharing-mobile-surfers-phone-numbers/#comment-87300 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:35:42 +0000 http://paidcontent.wp.gostage.it/2012/01/25/419-privacy-alert-o2-accused-of-sharing-mobile-surfers-phone-numbers/#comment-87300 According to @charlesarthur the ICO this morning claimed that mobile numbers are not personal data, and therefore no data protection issues. This contradicts with the ICO’s own guidance, which states (in relation to IP addresses) that an IP address is likely to be personal data if it is tied to a single personal (not shared) device. (cf an IP address for a PC that may be shared between multiple users).

See page 9 of http://bit.ly/ezcBWJ

Given that a mobile phone number is clearly linked to a single, personal, device, I don’t understand why a different approach is being suggested by the ICO.

That said, provided O2′s terms and conditions make it clear what is being disclosed, there may not be an issue. Has anyone reviewed these to see what they say?

]]> By: o2user http://paidcontent.org/2012/01/25/419-privacy-alert-o2-accused-of-sharing-mobile-surfers-phone-numbers/#comment-87299 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:30:59 +0000 http://paidcontent.wp.gostage.it/2012/01/25/419-privacy-alert-o2-accused-of-sharing-mobile-surfers-phone-numbers/#comment-87299 Interesting article in ComputerWorld:-
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9174220/Is_your_mobile_phone_giving_out_your_phone_number_

Note the date … March 26 2010

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