Getting your WT files deleted (UK)

Splash

The UK are tightening up their data protection laws to make it easier for individuals to get hold of the information organisations hold on them and to get it deleted.

I think Paul Grundy (jwfacts) went through this with WT once and found it very time consuming and difficult.

Will WT now abide by the law and hand over or permanently delete the records it keeps when requested?
It would mean every UK exJW could have their report card info, personal file with age, sex, baptism date, judicial information, appointment/deletion/disfellowshipping dates, letters of disassociation, letters of recommendation when you move, phone number and address permanently removed. Anyone acting for the WT (elders) who retain this information, eg your phone number in their phone or the secretary keeping your historical monthly report details, will be in violation. Failure to comply will incur a fine.

Expect a letter to all BOE's any time soon explaining why this does not apply to them.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-40826062

Isambard Crater

I was recently involved in a judicial scenario with the Elders, which involved a detailed letter about me being written to them from the UK H.Q. I asked to see a copy of this letter and the elders awkwardly sidestepped my request, basically saying it's not possible.

I was seething, knowing deep down that this is probably in breach of the Data Protection Act.

After reading your post, maybe I can soon request a copy.

pale.emperor

I did this. You need to make an "access to information" request to Watchtower in London. Under the Data Protection Act they're required to supply you with any information they hold about you. However, the Act states that they can charge up to £10 to supply you with this information. So of course Watchtower charges you the full amount of £10. I didn't go further because i have never donated to Watchtower in my life and im certainly not going to start now.

stan livedeath

when i cleared out my late fathers house--i came across a large cardboard box full of what looked like report cards and other bumf. it looked like records of members of his congregation. unfortunately i accidentally took it to the dump along with 50+years worth of old watchtower magazines and books.

whoops.

darkspilver

i came across a large cardboard box full of what looked like report cards and other bumf. it looked like records of members of his congregation. unfortunately i accidentally took it to the dump... whoops.

If that was private information you probably should have legally shredded it? rather than simply 'dump' it?

Londo111

Unfortunately, this doesn't help us over here across the pond.

freddo

I would happily pay the £10 as I wouldn't view it as a donation but as a reasonable charge for the time and materials taken to produce the stuff.

I believe but cannot be certain that you will get your stuff but that any reference to anyone else will be redacted. Here's a tongue in cheek example ...

Original letter from your elders to the branch ...

Bro. Emperor admitted acts of porneia with Sister Lucy Nuff and Sister Lilo Lil. This was done as a "threesome" for which we asked complete details so as to determine the low sink of debauchery that Bro. Emperor sank.

We have also included by way of a copy of this correspondence the Judicial Committee of the "Outer Fumbuck" congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses where these sisters were serving until the outcome of their recent judicial meetings conducted by Bros Dick Thasher, Moe Lester and Phil McAvity.

Bro. Emperor does not appear to show fruits befitting repentance and we uphold the decision of the original committee but we are mightily jealous as Sister Lucy Nuff is gorgeous and Sister Lilo Lil has a body to die for.

We remain your brothers,

Joe Kerr, Ben Dover and Mike Litterus

Redacted version ...

Bro. Emperor admitted acts of porneia with [Redacted]and [Redacted]. This was done as a "threesome" for which we asked complete details so as to determine the low sink of debauchery that Bro. Emperor sank.

We have also included by way of a copy of this correspondence the Judicial Committee of the [Redacted] congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses where these sisters were serving until the outcome of their recent judicial meetings conducted by Bros [Redacted x 3].

Bro. Emperor does not appear to show fruits befitting repentance and we uphold the decision of the original committee but we are mightily jealous as [Redacted] is gorgeous and [Redacted] has a body to die for.

We remain your brothers,

[Redacted x 3]

Londo111

I wonder love to have my information extracted and destroyed, but I am in the US.

For those not in the US, I wonder, does the US HQ comply with a request abroad to redact in their records? Or would they fall outside that country's privacy and information laws?

Of course, due to theocratic warfare, I do not trust that Watchtower would truly destroy their records on a person. It would be impossible to prove.

Splash

A small update on this.

The EU laws will be brought in from May 2018.
There's a description of "The right to erasure (the right to be forgotten)" which is very interesting.

If you ask to be forgotten by the WT but in the future they contact you (e.g. the elders phone or call on you), they may have violated this directive and the financial penalties are potentially high.

Who's going to be first to try it?

blondie

https://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/experiences/personal-files-privacy-act-1988.php

How Paul Grundy got
his personal info from WTS.

Getting your WT files deleted (UK)

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