Magazine putting my personal details on their website?

Question

Take A Break Magazine have put my full name, town and private telephone number on their website. I have no idea who gave them these details. Can I force them to remove them?

Please Help!

Answer 1

Yes!  Of course you can!  That's illegal.

Answer 2

Contact them and request that they remove your details. That's not right for them to do that, especially without you knowing. I've had it happen to me aswell, people leaving comments under my name on websites. I know because my name is very uncommon! (my surname is anyway)

Answer 3

I'm pretty sure this is illegal unless you specifically said they could display them. You should contact them as soon as possible. It would be preferable to do this by phone so you can talk to a representative directly and ask them to remove it.

If you can't get through- I think its the Press Complaints Commision you should contact, but I'm not sure. Their website is www.pcc.org.uk .

Answer 4

emailing them explaining that u didnt release they wud be on there and you are not happy about it, try and be nice so they do it without any trouble if they are unwilling to tell them you will take it further, but i wud be nice first as that way they will be more likely to do it and do it quicker. -but if u want to take it further, thats ur choice, personally i dont think they should be allowed, but read the terms and conds. if its u that entered somethin i.e.competition,, if its from someones else i dont see how they can publish them

Answer 5

You will find that this is a breach of personal data - in English law protected under the Data Protection Act .... you have a right to find out who, how and when your details were given to them and they were given the authority to use your details... although, as other users here have suggested the polite approach via mail or email should be the first line of defence - you may find that they might not accept this as they have no way of knowing that you are the genuine person!  I suggest that you contact them with details of your local solicitor (generally a £5.00 fee for a general discussion with a solicitor) suggesting they may incur contact in the near future from such a person should your details not be immediately removed.  If they do not do so within, say 24hrs, then a visit to and a letter from your local solicitor should usually do the trick - there are solicitors who specialise in computer and internet legal/law situations...... If I were you I would be very interested in finding out how they got your details in the first place - consider if you may have someone with a grudge - the magazine may like to consider their being on the receiving end of a libel case and breach of the Data Protection Act......

Best Regards

NB - you will find details of their registered office - address and other contact details either in the area of the magazine that details the editor and other contributors, or at or on the back of the magazine, generally on a coloured strip at the bottom of a page ..... I would write and email their contact details, as well as trying to phone them - then they can't say they didn't receive your communication ..... otherwise a written complaint to the Press Complaints Association may be another avenue to follow.....