A good privacy notice will let users know what kinds of information are collected and how it may be used. In a case , it also let the public know that the entity was claiming it would collect very sensitive information. The Sunday Express broke the story of how a high-speed rail project intended to collect information on those who opposed one of its controversial routes. News&Star picks up the story:
The HS2 high-speed rail company had the power to gather private data on people opposed to the controversial scheme, official documents reportedly said.
It has been forced to withdraw a document that reportedly stated it could gather sensitive information about the opponents’ sexual orientation, mental health and political views.
HS2, which is a non-departmental government body, withdrew its publicly-available privacy notice after the Sunday Express found it contained provisions that would allow it to access and “process personal data”.
The data could include details of individuals’ sexual orientation, trade union affiliation, criminal record, physical and mental health, according to the newspaper.
Read more on News&Star.