BBC, Dates of Birth and websites

Complaint to the BBC, also to any other website which "needs" a date of birth to sign up.

Dear BBC I am complaining that I have to give a full date of birth, instead of confirmation of age, when registering for a BBC ID. Asking for a full date of birth contravenes the 3rd principle of the data protection act and is therefore illegal.

You state "Why are you asking for my date of birth? We ask for your date of birth to create a safer environment for younger users. Some BBC services are specifically for certain ages only. If you are under 16, we need to get your parent's consent before you can complete your registration. If you are under 16 and want to give us your email address, we need to email your parent or guardian for consent before you can start using your BBC account."

If you want to verify I am over 16 then a simple checkbox would be sufficient. This works for Amazon, who sell age related goods and who also have to comply with the law. The checkbox is also good enough for you when I submit this complaint as a simple drop list asks "Are you over 13" yes or no. That's all you need for the main site too.

The 3rd principle of the data protection act states "Personal data shall be adequate, relevant and not excessive in relation to the purpose or purposes for which they are processed."

A date of birth rather than confirmation I am over 16 is not only excessive but it also opens up the opportunity for ID theft. It also allows the analysis of registered people by age, which I should have the option to opt out of.

Please amend this policy and delete all dates of birth before I complain to the information commissioner.

See also previous blog article

Craig Cockburn, Chartered IT Professional.

Gaelic events in Edinburgh - January 2013

---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: John Macleod <john@andarach.com>
Date: 11 January 2013 13:49
Subject: Gaelic events in Edinburgh - January 2013
To: john@andarach.com

A' chàirdean,

Liosta an cois seo, gu h-ìseal agus air PDF, mu thachartasan sa bhaile tron mhìos seo.  Cuiribh fios thugam ma tha tuilleadh agaibh ri chur rithe.

See below, and attached, for updated list of Gaelic events coming up in Edinburgh over the coming month.  Please let me know of any changes/additions for future circulations.

Gach dùrachd,

Iain

Friday 11.01.13 – 7.00pm                  Ceilidh nan Amhrain Gàidhlig – Gaelic & Irish songs to learn, Room 3 Tollcross Comm Centre (2hrs). With Déirdre Ní Mhathúna. (Cont: 221 5800)

Friday 11.01.13 – 8.00pm                  Bothan Dhùn Èideann – An t-Seann Bhliadhn' Ur, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High St with Kathleen Macinnes, Allan Macdonald, Griogair Labhruidh, Sandy Brechin, Fin Moore, Andrew Mackenzie & Jas. Gillespie's High School Pipe Band. (Now sold out). Followed at 10pm by ceilidh in Canon's Gait, 232 Canongate, Edinburgh. (Contact: bothanduneideann@googlemail.com or 552 5998)

Saturday 12.01.13 – 9.00am              Ulpan Gaelic Learning Course (1hr 30m) (Units 1-24), Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh, 17 Montgomery Place. (Cont: 01463 226732 or mechthild@cli.org.uk)

Saturday 12.01.13 – 12.45pm            Féis Dhùn Èideann Trad music/Gaelic Song/Step Dance Classes – Tollcross Comm Centre. (Cont: Gillian MacDonald 07514 386925 or feisdhuneideann@feisean.org)

Saturday 12.01.13 – 3.30pm              Cànan is Cèic (Gaelic Conversation Session) – Venue: Two Thin Laddies, 103 High Riggs. (Cont:  mechthild@cli.org.uk).

Sunday 13.01.13 – 12.30pm               Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. (Cont: 225 1900)

Sunday 13.01.13 – 3.00pm                 Gaelic service, St Columba's Free Church (Hall), Johnston Terrace. Prof. Donald Macleod. (Cont: 228 3782).

Monday 14.01.13 – 9.30am               Yaketi-yak Gaelic conversation session, The Filmhouse, Lothian Rd. (1hr) (Cont: 07826 555134 or mail@yaketyyak-languagecafe.co.uk

Monday 14.01.13 – 11.00am             Gaelic Coffee Morning – Café Nero, Frasers, West End. Conversational opportunity for Gaelic speakers of all ages & abilities. (Cont: 0131 228 5035)

Monday 14.01.13 –12.45pm              Ulpan Gaelic Learning course (1hr 45m), (Units 25 - 36) Tollcross Comm. Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: mechthild@cli.org.uk)  

Monday 14.01.13 – 6.00pm               Ulpan Gaelic Learning Course (1hr 30m) (Units 1-24), Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh, 17 Montgomery Place. (Cont: 01463 226732 or mechthild@cli.org.uk)

Tuesday 15.01.13 – 9.15am               Ulpan Gaelic Learning course (2hr), (Units 73 - 84) Tollcross Comm. Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: mechthild@cli.org.uk)

Tuesday 15.01.13 – 1.00pm               Gaelic Lunch Club, Mercure Hotel, (formerly Mount Royal) Princes St.  Speaker: Margaret Macleod (Na h-Oganaich) (Cont: 07906 318561).

Tuesday 15.01.13 – 7.00pm               Ulpan Gaelic Learning course (1hr 30m), (Units 79 – 90) Drummond High School, Bellevue Place. (Cont: mechthild@cli.org.uk)

Tuesday 15.01.13 – 7.30pm               Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Joe Wright. (Cont: 334 7005)

Wednesday 16.01.13 – 12.45pm        Ulpan Gaelic Learning course (1hr 30m), (Units 37-48) Tollcross Comm. Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: mechthild@cli.org.uk)

Wednesday 16.01.13 – 2.30pm          Gaidhlig sa Choille/Gaelic in the Forest – Forest Café, 141 Lauriston Place. Informal Gaelic language workshop for complete beginners. (Cont: bile@gatunbolly.com )

Wednesday 16.01.13 – 7.15pm          Ulpan Gaelic Learning course (1hr 30m), (Units 119 - 130) Tollcross Comm. Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont:  mechthild@cli.org.uk)

Wednesday 16.01.13 – 7.15pm          Coisir Dhun Eideann Taster Evening (for all who enjoy singing & have an interest in Gaelic) – Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Tce. (Cont. 0777 855 1294 or visit website www.CoisirDhunEideann.org.uk )

Thursday 17.01.13 – 7.00pm             Ulpan Gaelic Learning course (1hr 30m), (Units 49 - 60) Drummond High School, Bellevue Place. (Cont: mechthild@cli.org.uk) 

Thursday 17.01.13 – 7.00pm             Ulpan Gaelic Learning course (2hrs), (Units 109 – 120) Tollcross Comm. Centre. (Cont: mechthild@cli.org.uk)

Thursday 17.01.13 – 7.15pm             Lothian Gaelic Choir weekly rehearsal – Gillis Centre, Strathearn Road. (Cont: 07906 318561)

Friday 18.01.13 – 7.00pm                  Ceilidh nan Amhrain Gàidhlig – Gaelic & Irish songs to learn, Room 3 Tollcross Comm Centre (2hrs). With Déirdre Ní Mhathúna. (Cont: 221 5800)

Saturday 19.01.13 – 9.00am              Ulpan Gaelic Learning Course (1hr 30m) (Units 1-24), Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh, 17 Montgomery Place. (Cont: 01463 226732 or mechthild@cli.org.uk)

Saturday 19.01.13 – 12.45pm            Féis Dhùn Èideann Trad music/Gaelic Song/Step Dance Classes – Tollcross Comm Centre. (Cont: Gillian MacDonald 07514 386925 or feisdhuneideann@feisean.org)

Saturday 19.01.13 – 3.30pm              Cànan is Cèic (Gaelic Conversation Session) – Venue: Two Thin Laddies, 103 High Riggs. (Cont:  mechthild@cli.org.uk).

Sunday 20.01.13 – 12.30pm               Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. (Cont: 225 1900)

Monday 21.01.13 – 9.30am               Yaketi-yak Gaelic conversation session, The Filmhouse, Lothian Rd. (1hr) (Cont: 07826 555134 or mail@yaketyyak-languagecafe.co.uk

Monday 21.01.13 – 11.00am             Gaelic Coffee Morning – Café Nero, Frasers, West End. Conversational opportunity for Gaelic speakers of all ages & abilities. (Cont: 0131 228 5035)

Monday 21.01.13 –12.45pm              Ulpan Gaelic Learning course (1hr 45m), (Units 25 - 36) Tollcross Comm. Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: mechthild@cli.org.uk)  

Monday 21.01.13 – 6.00pm               Ulpan Gaelic Learning Course (1hr 30m) (Units 1-24), Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh, 17 Montgomery Place. (Cont: 01463 226732 or mechthild@cli.org.uk)

Tuesday 22.01.13 – 9.15am               Ulpan Gaelic Learning course (2hr), (Units 73 - 84) Tollcross Comm. Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: mechthild@cli.org.uk)

Tuesday 22.01.13 – 7.00pm               Ulpan Gaelic Learning course (1hr 30m), (Units 79 – 90) Drummond High School, Bellevue Place. (Cont: mechthild@cli.org.uk)

Tuesday 22.01.13 – 7.30pm               Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Joe Wright. (Cont: 334 7005)

Wednesday 23.01.13 – 12.45pm        Ulpan Gaelic Learning course (1hr 30m), (Units 37-48) Tollcross Comm. Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: mechthild@cli.org.uk)

Wednesday 23.01.13 – 2.30pm          Gaidhlig sa Choille/Gaelic in the Forest – Forest Café, 141 Lauriston Place. Informal Gaelic language workshop for complete beginners. (Cont: bile@gatunbolly.com )

Wednesday 23.01.13 – 7.15pm          Ulpan Gaelic Learning course (1hr 30m), (Units 119 - 130) Tollcross Comm. Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont:  mechthild@cli.org.uk)

Wednesday 23.01.13 – 7.15pm          Coisir Dhun Eideann weekly rehearsal – Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Tce. (Cont. 0777 855 1294)

Thursday 24.01.13 – 7.00pm             Ulpan Gaelic Learning course (1hr 30m), (Units 49 - 60) Drummond High School, Bellevue Place. (Cont: mechthild@cli.org.uk) 

Thursday 24.01.13 – 7.00pm             Ulpan Gaelic Learning course (2hrs), (Units 109 – 120) Tollcross Comm. Centre. (Cont: mechthild@cli.org.uk)

Thursday 24.01.13 – 7.15pm             Lothian Gaelic Choir weekly rehearsal – Gillis Centre, Strathearn Road. (Cont: 07906 318561)

Friday 25.01.13 – 7.00pm                  Ceilidh nan Amhrain Gàidhlig – Gaelic & Irish songs to learn, Room 3 Tollcross Comm Centre (2hrs). With Déirdre Ní Mhathúna. (Cont: 221 5800)

Saturday 26.01.13 – 9.00am              Ulpan Gaelic Learning Course (1hr 30m) (Units 1-24), Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh, 17 Montgomery Place. (Cont: 01463 226732 or mechthild@cli.org.uk)

Saturday 26.01.13 – 12.45pm            Féis Dhùn Èideann Trad music/Gaelic Song/Step Dance Classes – Tollcross Comm Centre. (Cont: Gillian MacDonald 07514 386925 or feisdhuneideann@feisean.org)

Saturday 26.01.13 – 3.30pm              Cànan is Cèic (Gaelic Conversation Session) – Venue: Two Thin Laddies, 103 High Riggs. (Cont:  mechthild@cli.org.uk).

Saturday 26.01.13 – 7.00pm              Lothian Gaelic Choir Burns Supper, Miller Hall, Cameron Toll. Tickets: £15 (Cont: lothiangaelicchoir@hotmail.co.uk)

Sunday 27.01.13 – 12.30pm               Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. (Cont: 225 1900)

Monday 28.01.13 – 9.30am               Yaketi-yak Gaelic conversation session, The Filmhouse, Lothian Rd. (1hr) (Cont: 07826 555134 or mail@yaketyyak-languagecafe.co.uk

Monday 28.01.13 – 11.00am             Gaelic Coffee Morning – Café Nero, Frasers, West End. Conversational opportunity for Gaelic speakers of all ages & abilities. (Cont: 0131 228 5035)

Monday 28.01.13 –12.45pm              Ulpan Gaelic Learning course (1hr 45m), (Units 25 - 36) Tollcross Comm. Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: mechthild@cli.org.uk)  

Monday 28.01.13 – 6.00pm               Ulpan Gaelic Learning Course (1hr 30m) (Units 1-24), Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh, 17 Montgomery Place. (Cont: 01463 226732 or mechthild@cli.org.uk)

Tuesday 29.01.13 – 9.15am               Ulpan Gaelic Learning course (2hr), (Units 73 - 84) Tollcross Comm. Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: mechthild@cli.org.uk)

Tuesday 29.01.13 – 7.00pm               Ulpan Gaelic Learning course (1hr 30m), (Units 79 – 90) Drummond High School, Bellevue Place. (Cont: mechthild@cli.org.uk)

Tuesday 29.01.13 – 7.30pm               Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Joe Wright. (Cont: 334 7005)

Wednesday 30.01.13 – 12.45pm        Ulpan Gaelic Learning course (1hr 30m), (Units 37-48) Tollcross Comm. Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: mechthild@cli.org.uk)

Wednesday 30.01.13 – 2.30pm          Gaidhlig sa Choille/Gaelic in the Forest – Forest Café, 141 Lauriston Place. Informal Gaelic language workshop for complete beginners. (Cont: bile@gatunbolly.com )

Wednesday 30.01.13 – 7.15pm          Ulpan Gaelic Learning course (1hr 30m), (Units 119 - 130) Tollcross Comm. Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont:  mechthild@cli.org.uk)

Wednesday 30.01.13 – 7.15pm          Coisir Dhun Eideann weekly rehearsal – Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Tce. (Cont. 0777 855 1294)

Thursday 31.01.13 – 7.00pm             Ulpan Gaelic Learning course (1hr 30m), (Units 49 - 60) Drummond High School, Bellevue Place. (Cont: mechthild@cli.org.uk) 

Thursday 31.01.13 – 7.00pm             Ulpan Gaelic Learning course (2hrs), (Units 109 – 120) Tollcross Comm. Centre. (Cont: mechthild@cli.org.uk)

Thursday 31.01.13 – 7.15pm             Lothian Gaelic Choir weekly rehearsal – Gillis Centre, Strathearn Road. (Cont: 07906 318561)

Friday 01.02.13 – 7.00pm                  Ceilidh nan Amhrain Gàidhlig – Gaelic & Irish songs to learn, Room 3 Tollcross Comm Centre (2hrs). With Déirdre Ní Mhathúna. (Cont: 221 5800)