Posted 18 hours ago

EE Data Gathering Information

Hi all

Was really peeved in physical EE shop earlier. I had to go there to swap a data sim I bought in Argos that was faulty.

As I bought the sim in Argos I had to take photo ID to EE to register an account. Fair enough, they would like to know certain things about who they are providing data to.

EE registered my details AND took a photograph of the front AND rear of my drivers licence. The also took a photograph of me? What the heck? I question this and the EE worker told me that this data ISNT SAVED ANYWHERE lolz

I will of course be requesting my data is immediately deleted as soon as I am finished with the SIM card.

Now, am I over reacting?

New Comment

17 Comments

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16 h, 44 m ago
Photo ID check does not seem unreasonable,
but recording photo ID (that is allegedly not being stored, so not recorded) seems disproportionate to the product, and so unnecessary and unacceptable.

Serve company on product invoice (EE Limited?) with SAR
ico.org.uk/for…st/
additionally requesting its procedure / requirement to collect sensitive data (Gov-issued photo ID) & how it will process / retain that data - directly in relation to the product being purchased/supplied.
If not happy with response, notify ICO.
gov.uk/dat…int
ico.org.uk/ESD…687
Author
14 h, 42 m ago
Thank you, this is the route I will be going down. (edited)
16 h, 34 m ago
If they do store the data then I should imagine you can't get it deleted just because you no longer use the sim anymore.

Once the data is collected they probably have to keep it for a minimum of 6 years. (edited)
15 h, 39 m ago
Just for info as I'm sure you tried, couldn't you have returned it to Argos for an exchange, I'm guessing no because you'd part used the data ?
Author
14 h, 58 m ago
I didn’t try to return it. I had part used the data, the sim was 3 months old.
17 h, 26 m ago
SIM Swap fraud is a huge issue. They've stepped up the ID Checking policy to protect against this. Then if someone suddenly reports they are a victim they have photo ID and a clear photo of the face of the person responsible for it, to pass to the authorities.
Author
11 h, 44 m ago
In fairness, so is people having their identity stolen. Im still baffled why they had to take a photograph of vehicles I am entitled to drive.
17 h, 33 m ago
Seems a bit of overkill - especially if you consider the amount of anonymity you have buying online.
Also the "we don't save it anywhere" sounds like they where just trying to apease you - what is the point of all of that effort if they don't use it?

FWIW I just bought a new tumble dryer from Currys and they asked for a lot of detail - I just wanted to make a quick purchase and leave with the item. They took my name, my address, land line, mobile, email (I also noticed I wasn;t given a choice to opt out of their marketing). Too much effort to just buy something these days! (edited)
13 h, 17 m ago
Try filling an online form for an insurance quote. You have to give your phone number and other details, despite it saying "we won't call you or use this information". So why insist on it?
11 h, 37 m ago
I always give a fake phone number as they will call you or sell it on. Spam forever.
17 h, 35 m ago
They are Probably getting ripped off by far too many people and let's be honest if you're on here, Google, Facebook, twitter etc they'll know most of that stuff anyway which you've probably been handing over for years already
11 m ago
As I bought the sim in Argos I had to take photo ID to EE to register an account. Fair enough, they would like to know certain things about who they are providing data to.

No, it is not "fair enough" that you were coerced to pose for your mug shot taken in the EE store, because upon your purchase of the data SIM from Argos, you utilised the services of EE for a couple of months without EE knowing who you were (unless you created an online account at 'My EE' or via EE's app).

Today we take it for granted when organisations demand our personal details, without questioning the true motives for the infringement of our right to privacy. Of course they would cite it's in the name of security.

Most organisations couldn't and don't care for the handling of personal data, nor are their security infrastructure adequate to thwart cyber infiltration that leads to one's data to land in the hands of cyber-criminals, with a plethora of data id thefts over the last two decades.