Tweeting Drivers Force LTPH Rethink Over ID Badge and Data Base

On Saturday drivers finally came to terms with the danger of personal details being given out freely on-line on the TfL website. After it was revealed on Twitter that drivers full names could be obtained by simply entering badge numbers, or badge numbers could be obtained by entering names, all hell broke lose. Many tweets and emails were fired off, complaining to MPs, MEPs, the Mayor, Assembly Members, local councillors and trade representatives.


While fury swept the screens of drivers smart phones, LTPH desperately tried to console the angry mob by making an announcement, that from early next week the service would be temporarily disabled, while further legal advise was taken and to give trade representatives a chance to consult further on the subject.


I was told by a spokesperson that the reason drivers details were available on-line was because they (TfL/LTPH) have a duty under the London cab act to supply drivers details to members of the public on request and that this service has been available for private hire for some time. LTPH have been informed by their legal department that this would not be a breach of the data protection act.

But an on-line data base, openly available to anyone is surely going too far and not quite what the London cab act meant by available on request...
I believe this is not only a breach of the data protection act, but also (as stated in previous post) the "European Human Rights Charter".


To prove my point about how dangerous this situation is, using software freely available on-line I found out the badge numbers, home addresses, number of people in the residence, names of neighbours and took photos from "Google street view" of the front doors of most of the UTC committee members.  These details however will not be published, as this was purely an academic exercise. 


I must thank Deputy Director of TPH Helen Chapman, who, as the fuss reach fever pitch, immediately contacted John Mason and together they agreed to disable the facility later this week until further notice.


I have been informed the reason badge numbers are to be displayed in such a large font on these controversial ID badges, is to assist licensing officers who as non warranted officers have no right to stop a Taxi for Badge and Bill or compliance checks if a driver refuses to stop.

But my argument is, private hire drivers are not compelled to have there badge number emblazoned on their windscreen in large format and in fact are allowed to hide their license details with tinted glass.


So how do Licensing/Compliance officers currently stop and check private hire drivers???


So again it would seem there is one rule for us and just guild-lines for them.  


I am not totally opposed to some form of distinction between London central and suburban drivers if that's what the trade in general wants, but the ID badge that are intended to be issued this week are an insult to ever London licensed driver.


I believe a new design of ID badge with the drivers badge number not so prevalent would be a better compromise.

Unacceptable............................................More acceptable