How I obtained my personal files from Bethel

jwfacts

It has taken me a long time, but I have finally put together an article outlining how I used the law to force Bethel to send me my personal files. It is a very long article full of scans, so I have linked to it at http://jwfacts.com/watchtower/experiences/personal-files-privacy-act-1988.php

In brief, in 2006 I requested that Bethel send me my files on the basis that the Australian Privacy Act 1988 entitles people to receive a copy of any information a corporation holds about them. Bethel refused, so I referred it to the Privacy Commissioner. It took 3 years for the matter to be settled and in 2009 I finally received my documents.

I found it very hard writing this document and put it off for over a year. It has been an emotional experience as I have basically just relived my entire life as a Witness - the "privileges" such as becoming a pioneer, MS and going to Bethel, along with the constant discipline that I received.

I think many of you will be surprised to see the type of information Bethel is still holding about you.

If you notice any errors or find the information hard to understand, let me know and I will try to fix it.

What-A-Coincidence

AWESOME POST!!! I was at HEADQUARTERS ... WORKED IN THE IT DEPARTMENT ... HAD ACCESS TO SERVERS AND SUCH .... ANYONE WANT THIER FILES DELETED????

ACTUAL PICTURE OF COMPUTER SERVERS IN THE 25 COLUMBIA HEIGHTS BUILDING ... LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT.

Aussie Oz

what a trip!

Aside from the obvious desire to get you for something, what stood out to me was the bald faced lies about the financial turnover.

I hope your life has settled back to some serenity!

ps... you have a pm

oz

fokyc

Well done, but what a painful fight to get what is rightfully yours.

I had a similar fight with the UK branch office and a congregation.

The Australian Privacy Act 1988 and the UK Data Protection Act 1998 are the WTBTS's worst enemy.

A great pity the US doesn't seem to have similar laws.

teel

Thanks, that gave me an idea to do the same. I consulted online the relevant laws in my country and it seems it's even easier here, the law is simple: if you have data on someone, you are bound by law to share them at most once a year per request with the subject of the data. There are a few exceptions, but the WTS doesn't fall in that category, financial turnover is not a criteria (who made that law about financial turnover anyway? what does that have to do with them storing info on me?)

What bothers me though is that I found an online registry of the entities operating with personal data, but I haven't found the WTS in it. It may be that they simply lied their way out of this, denying any sort of data gathering.

yesidid

WOW! What a journey.

Your persistance paid off. A lesser man would have given up.

I'll bet the branch co-ordainator had great trouble signing that letter.

Thanks for making all that info available.

While I was there I had another look around your brilliant site.

I just have to copy this great quote I'd not noticed before:

"The point is that Christians have implicit trust in their heavenly Father; they do not question what he tells them through his written Word and organization." Watchtower 1974 July 15 p.441

Keep up the good work.

yesidid

leavingwt

Broken Promises

Hi Paul,

I have just finished reading that page and all the associated documentation – WOW!!

You have a PM.

zoiks

Well done!

awildflower

Actually this is an excellent idea, we should all do this, for those of us out. This would give the WTS a new headache and a way to get some control back from a very controlled life. I'm going to look into this.

How I obtained my personal files from Bethel

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