[ILUG]Doeswww.RateMyTeacher.IEmeetcriteriaofDataProtectionAct.

[Eircom - Carroll]

> On Tue, 15 Mar 2005 13:41:17 +0000, Dave Burke <daveb at esat.net> wrote:
>> On Tue, 2005-03-15 at 13:42 +0000, Eircom - Carroll wrote:
>> > I am interested in the views of this informed group on the web site
>> > www.RateMyTeacher.IE, specifically regarding the Data Protection Act.
>> 
>> I'd be interested to find out what this has to do with linux.

> Well it is running on a Linux server!


  Taking much from Richard Stallman's ideas and theories on Gnu/Open
  Source, I believe Linux to be almost a philosophy that empowers the
  individual through the freely given efforts of many - (to the
  horror of some large corporate bodies)- for the common good. The
  Internet & Linux, confers a freedom that needs to be protected.
  
  I approached the group, from this viewpoint to highlight what is in
  my opinion, a abuse of data - collected in the main from minors
  through the Internet - to pillory identified individuals, as a basis
  for a commercial operation. This abuse is an erosion of the personal
  freedoms of all. The site differs from standard Forums in that the
  data is collected, manipulated and organized by identifiable persons,
  (some of whom are defamed),for the direct purpose of commercial gain.

  What has this to do with Linux Group? Is this as valid as the
  current discussion on EU software patents directive on this forum -
  which is similarly concerned with persons rights?

  The following is a summary of results of a few day's questions...

  1) The ILUG: Some helpful pointers to owner and hosting agency.
  2) NOVARA:
     "...As registrar of the domain, ratemyteacher.ie, we would have
     no say on the content of the site. You would need to contact the
     host of the site with any complaints or alternatively contact the
     company that run the site."
  2) The IE Domain Registry:
     "...Your queries relating to the website www.ratemyteachers.ie appear
     to be of a very serious nature. However in response to your email,
     our terms and conditions do not encompass the content that appears
     on a website using a .ie domain name address. Therefore we cannot
     act to prevent service to a domain name unless explicitly instructed
     to do so by order of an Irish court.
     
     May I suggest that you submit a complaint to the following relevant
     bodies who may be provide you with some help.

     Internet Service Provider Association of Ireland - http://www.ispai.ie
     Irish Internet Association - http://www.iia.ie ..."

  3) The ISPAI - no reply to email
  4) The IAA - no reply to email
  5) The Minister for Education - no reply to email.
  6) The Data Protection office, www.dataprotection.ie, very helpful
  on the phone. Email only sent to them today - highlighting potential
  breach of article 2(1)(a) - Data obtained and processed fairly, and
  also Nature of consent (common age of registry of 18 years or
  older).