Every time I have a protracted ding-dong with a big organisation, I put in a request under data protection law to see what they’ve been saying about me behind my back.
Anyone can do this. If you get into a row with a charity after complaining they’ve put your direct debit up without telling you, for example, you could then do a subject access request (SAR), asking them to send you a copy of anything mentioning you in their files, and they would send you back loads of emails in which various people in their offices discussed how to handle your complaint.
The law requires them to do this, but it allows them to redact certain words, usually the names of those most involved in having you over, and other information they can argue is sensitive.
I’ve been sent a large file showing my emails to them and their emails to each other discussing my emails
So if you once complained to People for the Ethical Treatment of Hedgehogs, for example, and then submitted a SAR, you might get back an email trail showing that one office bod has said to another:
‘Hi ***, can you ask **** in customer relations what he wants to do about this ****** ** ********** who’s asking for us to cancel their direct debit and refund two months’ money.
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