by S EIGHT 7 Replies latest watchtower scandals
Hi,
Has anyone in the UK sent a "Subject Access Request" under the data protection act 1998 to the bethel or the local congregation?
I'm very tempted to as this will mean they have to provide any personal information they hold.
I was disfellowshipped, reinstated, appointed and stepped down. I'd like to know what information is held on record in regard to these incidents.
S8.
no but i would be interested if you did it, what you got back.
Taken from "Watchtower Observer" website. I think "Kent" posted this one and tried to have records removed. There is also a Watchtower letter on this subject. I'll see if I can dig it up. If this cut and paste doesn't work then perhaps the link will work. Sometimes a cut and paste from WTO will work and sometimes they won't. My apologies before-hand if it doesn't work. Click here, scroll down, look to your left and click on "Records" http://www.reexamine.org/wtobserver/
The Data protection act - remove my files!
It is well known that the Watchtower cult society keeps records on everyone, even those who have died, or have been excommunicated, or those who have broke association due to personal reasons. Such records may disturb many as they feel they are being judged by what is on their files and record cards, which has information of how many hours per month they put in preaching and cult recruiting, from house to house. Well you are absolutely right!
Letter to Watchtower HQ and local cult elders
The data protection act -
remove my files!
It is well known that the Watchtower cult society keeps records on everyone, even those who have died, or have been excommunicated, or those who have broke association due to personal reasons. Such records may disturb many as they feel they are being judged by what is on their files and record cards, which has information of how many hours per month they put in preaching and cult recruiting, from house to house. Well you are absolutely right!
It is well known that the excuse for this is to be able to make up their "yearly world wide report book" If this was the case then these reports should be handed in anonymously! To prove that the watchtower cult does in fact keep records on it's members over many years, look at the quote from a letter reference and dated from the Watchtower cult HQ called "Bethel" at Mill Hill, North London. "SH June 19th 1995"In a dispute about their continuous reference to my track record as I had raised many points and written to the watchtower cult HQ i'e "Bethel" many times, they say to quote:
"We have checked all our letters on file, which has resulted from your numerous letters over the years"
This would also include any letters sent by cult elders, or the Watchtower HQ of correspondents from those in rank wanting information resulting in any investigation about you.
This also goes for any wrong doing a person may have done. The fact that the Bible says: "Do not keep account of the injury" a text the Watchtower cult will quote often so that you will not keep account of errors they may have been guilty of, the watchtower cult society feel fully justified in keeping records of every personal detail about its members. I therefore wrote the following letter to request this information be removed and destroyed . . . due to my rights under the Data protection Act 1998 UK
You may use this information to send to the Watchtower cult HQ in your area or local congregations You can also read the Watchtowers reply that follows below and the new Data Protection Act 1998/9 also below.
Remove My Records
PERSONAL RIGHTS UNDER THE DATA PROTECTION ACT 1998/9 UK
Name:____________________________________
Address: __________________________________
Attention: WTBS Bethel. ______________________
Congregation elders __________________________
Ref: Data Protection Act 1998/9
Date_________19_______
Dear sir
I/We are writing this letter to you after long in-depth investigation into the procedures and polices of the Watchtower society and the teachings that after great research has proved to be in serious error according to the bible and that the society is both underhanded and deceptive in its dealings with individual members and in its presentation of facts to the public on many issues which is totally unscriptural, unchristian, not based on the bible and ethically wrong.
I/We therefore as (well as my wife/Husband) have disassociated ourselves from the Legal body known as Jehovah witnesses, and no longer wish to be known as Jehovah Witnesses. ________________________congregation/Branch office has already been sent a copy of this letter.
This leads us on to my next serious request and insistence. As from 1998/9 the Data Protection Act has been enforced for the benefit of all individuals (not just the WBTS). Failure to allow individuals this right is a criminal offence and one that can be enforced under law.
I/We therefore now request that your policy to keep files on members whether they be active members, dis-associated or disfellowshipped or excommunicated and at both Watchtower/ HQ and any branch of the watchtower society and congregation level now be removed and destroyed.
I/We request that all files, data, congregation record cards where my/our name (or that of my wife/husband) is mentioned, referred to, cited and spoken, written or labelled, tagged, be destroyed, be it in the form of electronic format or sources, disk, cassettes, video, phone vetting tapes, microfilm, micro dot, codes, cards, forms, papers letters, reports, or in any way shape or form, including storage in premises not of the WBTS , private homes, buildings, offices, safes, lock ups, and security boxes, vaults of any kind, kingdom hall safes, computer systems or even in transit of representatives of the WBTS laptop computers and other storage facilities, files etc and that any such record card in congregation files be it in any shape or form also be removed and destroyed
I/We request written confirmation that such action has been undertaken and all files with reference to my name and (that of my wife) has been destroyed due to my right under the Data Protection Act 1998/9. Failure to do this , or... give confirmation to my/our request will result in my/our putting this in the hands of the data protection agencies to enforce with respect to my/our rights as a citizen of ________________under parliament/government. This also includes my/our right to deny you submitting records abroad to branch offices in any other country and the HQ at Brooklyn New York USA with out my/our consent and knowledge.
I/We am stating firmly this day_________________ that if such a request is clearly denied and if this has been already undertaken that such transferring of records, files, by use of the Internet, emails, faxes, also to and from congregations and any such correspondents, in any other shape or form be ALSO destroyed etc. If at any time such material should surface and it come to light that files, documents have been kept for what ever reason, this will be taken as a breach of the Data Protection Act of 1998/9 and the Agency informed accordingly.
I/We (myself / Wife / husband) have never signed any such agreement neither do I/we intend to, be it, to allow the WBTS to keep files, documents, data and personal information in any way shape or form. (Neither did I/we ever make vowels and get baptised into any man made organisation to be bound by any law systems, policies and rules to keep records and data. I/we dedicated to God through Christ and the spirit, to these alone, before you changed the Vowels against scripture and over stepped Christ command!
I/We Therefore submit my/our request and await confirmation in writing that the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, also known as the International Bible student association, and any other legal and non legal, term, tool, or named agency of the WBTS Honour this request in writing and forward this to us in due course,
1/ WBTS of Country:_______________________________
2/ Local Body of elders of ________________________Congregation
This letter has been submitted to both of the above.
Thank you
Mr__________________________________________
Mrs/Miss/Ms __________________________________
Below - The watchtowers (UK) reply sent Feb 9th 1999
Word for word quote:
Ref: LEB:LSA February 9th 1999
This is in response to your letter of Feb 1, 1999. You demand, pursuant to the data Protection Act 1998, that this society destroys all data that has reference to you and your wife.
Our legal department informs us that the Data Protection Act 1998 is not operational until later on this year. Further we will benefit from the transitional provision in the Act until October 2001, with the result that the relevant sections will not apply until that date. During this three-year period we intend to dispose of various files including any that might relate to you and your wife. For the ovidence of doubt we do not have any data concerning you pursuant to the earlier Data Protection Act 1984.
If you wish clarification of the issues raised we suggest you seek independent professional advice.
Your Sincerely
Watchtower Bible and Tract Society
7.1.7.6. Forthcoming legislation
page 14b reissued January 1999
Data Protection Act 1998
Extent: England, Wales, Scotland and N Ireland
Royal Assent 16.7.98
46cThis Act implements European Directive 95/45/EC on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data, and extends the scope of the protection Act 1984
46f The Act only applies to personal data related to living individuals and will include some manual records and filing systems which were previously excluded from regulation. Processing will include both use and the disclosure of data, with disclosure meaning any method of making the data available.
46g The definition of "data user" is replaced by "data controller". All data controllers will have to notify the data protection commissioner (currently known as the register) of basic details about the personal information they hold about a "data subject". The requirements for registration are retained, but with modifications. For example the registration system will not apply to personal data held only on manual filing systems. All data controllers, however, will have to comply with the data protection rules, whether they are registered or not. Date it should come into force: early1999
46h Personal data will have to be obtained from authorised sources, or from the data subjects themselves. In both situations, the data subject will have to be notified of the identity of the data controller, the purpose of processing and any other information necessary to enable the processing to be fair. The data subject will have the right to prevent processing which is likely to cause damage or distress, unless for example, s/he has already given her/his consent. The Act will also give data subjects a greater ability to bring court proceedings where data controllers breach their statutory duties. Date it should come into force: early1999
46i Special rules will apply to the processing of sensitive personal data, for example racial or ethnic origin, political, religious beliefs, trade union membership, health, offences and convictions. The Act also tries to ensure that personal data transferred to non - EEA countries will be adequately protected. Date it should come into force: early1999
Cheers! Atlantis-
WATCH TOWER
BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF BRITAIN
THE RIDGEWAY LONDON NW7 1RN
TELEPHONE 020 8906 2211
January 1, 2001
TO ALL BODIES OF ELDERS
Dear Brothers:
Between March and August 2000 circuit overseers discussed with bodies of elders how to bring personal andcongregation files in line with the Data Protection Act. By now you should have followed all the instructions contained in the "Checklist for Complying With the Data Protection Act". This involved the destruction of most judicial records, minutes and agendas of elders' meetings that contained personal information, letters of introduction, correspondence relating to individuals, and so forth. As a further implementation of new procedures under data protection legislation, we are now giving attention to two areas; files involving child molestation. and the Record of Disfellowshipping or Disassociation (S-79b) cards.
The Congregation Service Committee should meet within two weeks of receipt of this letter and carefully follow all the instructions below. During their next round of visits circuit overseers will check to ensure that these steps have been accomplished.
FILES RELATING TO CHILD MOLESTATION
While congregation files need to be brought into harmony with the Data Protection Act, the body of elders has a serious responsibility to protect children from potential harm. (Psalm 127:3) Elders should be alert to the activity of those who are known to have molested children in the past. (See our letter To All Bodies of Elders in Britain dated November 1. 1995.) Accordingly, the body of elders needs to keep a record of those who have molested children in the past, or who are alleged to have done so. To accomplish this the Congregation Service Committee should create a list named "Child Protection-Psalm 127:3". The list should have six columns headed "Name of Individual", "Identity of Victims or Alleged Victims", "Date", "Elders Handling Matter", "Court Action" and "Congregation Action". This list should be formed even if there are no cases of child abuse currently in your files. In this way it will be available for future use if necessary. The "Child Protection" list should be kept safely in a secure place.
In the appropriate columns show the names of the molester or alleged molester, if known the name(s) of the victim(s) or alleged victim(s) and the relationship of the offender to the victim(s), the date the matter came to light, and the names of all the elders who were involved in some way or another. In the "Court Action" column enter only one of the following two expressions; "convicted" or "alleged." "Convicted" refers to those who were found guilty of child molestation by a secular court. "Alleged" is the term to be used for all other cases. If there has been congregation action tick the "Congregation Action" column and make an entry on the "Specialized Shepherding" list in the normal way. Where the principle in 1 Timothy 5:19 cannot be satisfied enter "none" in the "Congregation Action" column.
Once you have completed the list send all files relating to child molestation to the Society in one of our special blue envelopes. If the correspondence is too bulky to fit in a blue envelope, for this one-off process, clearly mark whatever envelope you use "CONFIDENTIAL-SERVICE DEPARTMENT".
http://www.silentlambs.org/education/1101boe.cfm
Cheers! Atlantis- (Hope this hepls some)
Also, see the information posted by (Twinkletoes). I believe the Watchtower wanted to charge afee for this service. There is still no guarantee that they don't keep copies! You could try, but I wouldn't trust them. Scroll down here: http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/7/70268/1.ashx 21st Aug 2002, we wrote to the London Bethell to request the following:
Please can you forward all copies of personal information pertaining to us, that are being held
on your database.
The copies should be sent to our home address as stated above.
We enclose a stamped addressed envelope for your use.
23rd Aug 2002 - we received the following reply -
...The Act empowers recipients of such enquiries to levy a charge for processing the enquiry
and the Trustees of this charity have decided to levy a charge of £10 per person, as provided for in
section 7(2)(b) of the legislation.
In addition, we have a duty to satisfy ourselves as to the identity of each data subject before
disclosure of the data ........please therefore provide
1 a cheque or postal order payable to Watch Tower Society Britain, for the required fee.
2 Proof of your identity
9th Sept 2002 - We received a reply -
We confirm that we have carefully reviewed our files and we have no personal data disclosable
under the Data Protection Act 1998 that we can identify as relating to you. If you wish to provide any
supplementary information ...e.g.. previous town in which you lived or a congregation of
Jehovah's Witnesses with which you associated, we shall make a further search of the files.
At that point we gave up, lost £20.00 and got no reply showing any data !!!
Twinkletoes and Kaytee
Cheers! Atlantis-
I have reported the Australia branch to the Privacy Commission in Australia because they wont supply my files under the Privacy Act 1988. The Watchtower Lawyers and the Privacy commission have been fighting it out for over 12 months now, with no resolve yet. The WTS is trying everything to prove they are not obligated to hand over my personal files.
Would this act apply in the US??
The Claw.
I am considering something similar but I am not da or df. do you think that by my asking for my records that i will end up df?
I have sent an e-mail on an info website re: data protection asking if I have a right to my files.
Will let you know what their response is.
