HMRC to sell our tax data to private companies

HMRC to sell our tax data to private companies

Didn't find your answer?

38Degrees.org.uk/hmrc-petition have sent me an email asking for support for their petition to stop HMRC who are apparently planning to sell off tax data to private companies.

Does anyone know about this?

If it is true is it legal under Data Protection legislation?

If it is true and you want to support their petition the above URL provides a way to vote.

Replies (8)

Please login or register to join the discussion.

By johngroganjga
24th Apr 2014 13:07

Yes it's been in the news a lot over he last week or so.  There's even an article about it on the Latest News section of this very website!

Thanks (0)
avatar
By peterhool
24th Apr 2014 13:54

Yes I have just seen yesterdays AWEB Bulletin

38Degrees did not mention that the data is to be anonymised, however as others have said how reliable are the HMRC anonymising processes going to be.

If anyone feels strongly that this data should not be made available then 38 Degrees have been successful at blocking other nonsensical issues and anyone can add their names to the petition I have mentioned above.

Thanks (0)
Replying to whatdoyoumeanwashe:
Stepurhan
By stepurhan
24th Apr 2014 14:19

Slightly dishonest

peterhool wrote:
38Degrees did not mention that the data is to be anonymised, however as others have said how reliable are the HMRC anonymising processes going to be.
The fact that the data is to be anonymised AND aggregated is a key point of the proposal. Not mentioning this is significantly misrepresenting the facts. It's like proposing banning a chemical that is known to be corrosive and has killed many people and not mentioning that chemical is water.

That the anonymising of data may not be carried out properly is a genuine concern. Not mentioning it at all makes the petition one I do not wish to see my name attached to.

Thanks (2)
Replying to Mr_awol:
avatar
By Southwestbeancounter
24th Apr 2014 15:01

I thought the same as you

stepurhan wrote:

peterhool wrote:
38Degrees did not mention that the data is to be anonymised, however as others have said how reliable are the HMRC anonymising processes going to be.
The fact that the data is to be anonymised AND aggregated is a key point of the proposal. Not mentioning this is significantly misrepresenting the facts. It's like proposing banning a chemical that is known to be corrosive and has killed many people and not mentioning that chemical is water.

That the anonymising of data may not be carried out properly is a genuine concern. Not mentioning it at all makes the petition one I do not wish to see my name attached to.

My first thought when I received the 38Degrees e-mail this morning was the same as yours; if they don't stick to the facts then they are not coming across as legitimate as they should and you wonder if it was an oversight or whether they are just trying to sway people by not giving them all the facts. I agree it is an issue but 38Degrees should  have been totally upfront about it as it does make a difference to the way some people would vote.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By MDK45
24th Apr 2014 14:05

But you have to give 38 degrees some personal details to lodge your complaint against misuse of data, that's ironic!

Thanks (0)
avatar
By mhtax
24th Apr 2014 15:23

? Previous thread

a week  or so as well.

I don't believe that there was any suggestion then about selling either?

Thanks (0)
Stepurhan
By stepurhan
24th Apr 2014 15:54

Even with benefit of the doubt

I'd be willing to give the benefit of the doubt over the selling question. The proposal includes passing the information to commercial organisations, and I would hope that businesses would at least be charged for access.

But, even assuming that the anonymity issue was an accidental oversight and not a deliberate distortion, it is still a problem. It gives an excuse for ignoring the petition entirely. "Clearly all these people thought we were going to just hand over their tax records. That's not what we are proposing so everything's fine." It's a bit like being seen to be independent as an auditor. Credibility is a valuable commodity.

Thanks (0)
Replying to bernard michael:
Stepurhan
By stepurhan
25th Apr 2014 08:58

Not linking

Dandelion wrote:
Credibility and HMRC, now that's a novel concept.
Credibility and the people hosting the petition. I never said anything about credibility and HMRC. You are just misinterpreting so you can get in more HMRC-bashing. Have you anything constructive to add to the conversation?
Thanks (0)