Re: [Exim] Administrivia: Take down requests

>
> Well, if it applies to log files on web servers, what about log files and system backups on intermediate
> servers? If h?? posts went through several mail servers to reach the lists and they were logged or happend to
> get added to a backup tape, what happens then? Does each admin have to restore the backups and remove/obscure
> the information.
>
> This is just getting silly.
>

Such files are covered by the DPA, but there is no right to ask for
removal of any accurate information. The law deals with principles
for gathering data (fairly obtaining data, not exporting sensitive
data to countries with poor data protection legislation, etc),
processing of data, disclosure of data and data subject access.
Removal from a published archive is a disclosure issue and so is
irrelevant for unpublished log files.

There are a lot of silly things about the law. However it seems
unlikely that anyone objecting to disclosure of data that they have
voluntarily posted to a public forum will get very far if they pursued
legal remedy.

A lot has been said about the law being stupid and it is a bit of a
mess, but it is worth noting that it is the same law that your bank
would fall foul of if they published your statements and others would
fall foul of if they put webcams in toilets. There is a need for good
data protection legislation. A few cases should put a stop to the
stupidity that is currently going on.