http://www.myjamfactory.com/?__wjRefresh=2#~S ... rForm

For all exisiting myjamfactory.com members who have not provided their real name, flat number and contact details to us, please click on the link above and add the details as requested.

There is no need to change your existing username, password or contact e-mail address.

Any members who have registered recently and have already provided these details will not need to use this link.

As a reminder, the JFRA are undertaking this process to verify that users are bona-fide residents or those with a legitmitate interest in the Jam Factory: e.g. prospective buyers etc.

The deadline for providing these details and for continued use of this website is 29th February 2009.

Thanks again for your patience.

Our thanks also go to Marcus at Webjam for assisting us with this.

JFRA

Any personal data submitted is not disclosed either on the website, nor is it disclosed to any third parties. No other member can see your data.

It's worth reminding users why we have introduced these control measures - we need to verify the identity of registered members of myjamfactory.com as residents or bona-fide interested parties. This is as much of a protection for residents as a protection for the website from spam and offensive messages, which we received not so long ago.

Since we announced and enacted these tighter controls, we have had no spam and no offensive material - which is as it should be.

JFRA

Sharon,

This site does not 'publish' that it is a 'private site'. We advise that the messageboards are for the use of residents only, or those non-resident with a legitimate interest in the Jam Factory: e.g. Landlords, Council Officers, Block D (+ABC) flat buyers etc.

The homepage has always been public and will remain so until such time as the JFRA Members wish to raise a motion and vote at the next AGM for this site to become either fully or partially private

Hope this is clear.

JFRA

In other words there remains a risk that all the private information provided could be available to whomevever provided they have some IT knowledge (including full name, address, telephone......just sufficient to open any bank or credit account in your name....all that is needed is a utility bill....). In this day and age I would have expected more from an organisation claiming to have the interests of members at heart.

The members area is only visible to registered members.

We've been clear already on why we are asking for simple details to verify residents' status and have confirmed that we do not release these details to any third parties. To re-itierate, no member can view or access your personal details.

The verification of residents' status to participate on this website is actually intended to improve security for users, it has already eliminated spam and obscene messages.

If privacy is important to you, then we strongly recommend that you e-mail us privately, as opposed to posting any sensitive concerns on a publicly viewable messageboard.

The supply of some basic information to us is a requirement of being registered on this site. These are our conditions of use - you will find that most responsible websites have these types of modest control measures.

JFRA

Hi
If the site is collecting personal data, doesn't it have to be registered with the Information Commissioner under data protection laws? And if so - is it?

This may be quite an important point as this may impact upon whoever assumes legal responsibility for this site. Can someone clarify?

Thanks

Malcolm

Under ICO Guidelines there is no requirement to notify the Information Commissioner for not for profit organisations such as Residents Associations who maintain records for the purposes as follows:

'Your (data) processing is only for the purposes of establishing or maintaining membership or support for a body or association not established or conducted for profit, or providing or administering activities for individuals who are either members of the body or association or have regular contact with it.'

Thanks for your enquiry.

JFRA

Just a few things

Many of the users on here will also have other online profiles such as Facebook, Linkedin accounts, which will hold significantly more personal data than this Website.

Unless you are putting personal details, i.e D>O>B / address etc, it would be tricky to open a bank account, Apply for a Passport even a Library card. I havent seen anyone put this information on so there should really be no issue.

You only need to put enough information on there so your neighbours know who you are, and that the messages typed are from valid residenets, Landlords etc, not from a former king of Niferia who wants to transfer $22m into your account

For instance -

daiandjayne is most probably Dai and Jayne.
robcroydon is a tricky one - ill take a stab in the dark but i am guessing it is Rob Croydon.

There is more data freely available from companies house on directors than there is on here so I wouldnt worry

It would also be somewhat difficult to notify the information commissioner on simply an unknown individuals usernames.

I hope this helps.

The quoted exemption from the Data Protection Act is clearly key and will no doubt, in due course, lead to a rejection of potential users such as those promoting farmers markets, people undertaking surveys etc as these clearly will not be able to satisfy the exemption requirement.


On the point of Facebook, LinkedIn etc, that deals with the information security aspect but unfortunately would not exclude the operators of the website from committing an offence if they obtained via electronic means the data relating to someone who does not fit within the exemption. Although this can happen relatively innocently, it is, I believe, a strict liability offence.

Might it be easier for those who may be hesitant about posting their information to simply leave it in written form at the porter's lodge?

We would very much prefer to deal with member's information in one location in a digital format on a web-based platform.

The JFRA is a voluntary organisation - keeping two separate databases of website members would increase our workload beyond reasonable limits. The clean-up of years-old inactive members and cryptic pseudonyms which which will be activated on 29.02.10 is most definitely in accordance with best practice issued by the ICO.

Private correspondence can be sent to us via our e-mail: jfra.mail@gmail.com

All residents are welcome to join JFRA and assist on the Committee - the more help we have from residents - the more effective and representative we can be.

JFRA