The Data protection Act
 

Are we allowed to demand our data removed from a company database if we have no affliation with them? I think it would scare those telemarketers if we come out with the line "I hearby request my phone number be removed under section ____ of the data protection act 1998."

Re: The Data protection Act
 

Just register your phone number with the Telephone Preference Service
We haven't had a telemarketing call for years (till today!:p -would you believe it!) and he couldn't get off the phone quickly enough once I told him we were registered.....apologising all the way:D

Re: The Data protection Act
 

you can force them to remove you, but you can't expect the telesales agent to do it. you have to ask in writing

Re: The Data protection Act
 

But then you would have to do that with each company, whereas the TPS will block them all from phoning you!

Re: The Data protection Act
 

Part of the DPA is that data help about a person must be current and relevant, i.e. all the details must be up-to-date and the company cannot hold huge swathes of data about a person if those details are not related to the purpose for which they are being used.

Under this I would guess if you have no affiliation with a company then all data they hold about you is irrelevant so must be removed.

Edit. Don't forget that the TPS also applies to sms messages, I've not recieved any since I register, now if only they would extend it to cover e-mail.