Jeremy Corbyn Train CCTV Could Land Virgin Trains In Hot Water With Information Commissioner

'Why is Richard Branson allowed to tweet CCTV pictures of passengers?'
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The release of the footage triggerd #Traingate, the most bizarre scandal scandal yet to hit Corbyn, and his supporters and detractors argued over whether the footage proved there were seats available, contrary to claims Corbyn made in a video he recorded while sitting on the floor, saying the overcrowding showed the need for the railways to be re-nationalised.

Here is Virgin’s version of events:

How Traingate unfolded, according to Virgin
Virgin Trains
11.07am: Seven minutes after the train left Kings Cross, Jeremy Corbyn walked by unreserved seats in the train's coach H
Virgin Trains
11.08am: Corbyn walks by apparently reserved seats in Coach F
Virgin Trains
11.43am: Corbyn takes a seat in Coach H, having filmed himself on the floor for his campaign message

The episode triggered an online spat over whether Corbyn had been right to say there were no seats.

Amid the arguing on Twitter, The Information Commissioner’s Office has tweeted it is “aware of the issue and making enquiries” after people repeatedly tweeted it asking what it could do.

@nevali We are aware of this issue and are making enquiries.

— ICO (@ICOnews) August 23, 2016

By coincidence, the ICO had issued guidance on ensuring CCTV is compatible with the Data Protection Act (DPA) earlier this week, which reminded organisations that images of people was covered by the DPA.

The tweet Sir Richard Branson sent included an image where other people’s faces were clearly visible.

Mr Corbyn & team walked past empty unreserved seats then filmed claim train was ‘ram-packed’ https://t.co/R5hawIpQek pic.twitter.com/22t8EkjW5l

— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) August 23, 2016

Some of the people tweeting about traingate raised the possibility of Virgin Trains facing action for breaching the DPA but on tweeter said the ICO’s resources were limited and the potential DPA breach was not “severe”.

Why is @RichardBranson allowed to tweet CCTV pictures of passengers on a @Virgin_TrainsEC service? #DPA #TrainGate https://t.co/JckcmNfLvQ

— Martin Abrams (@Martin_Abrams) August 23, 2016

The test for #traingate is "severe". Was this a severe breach of the DPA? My guess is "not really". A few passengers' faces shown. ...

— John Street (@JafaWeegie) August 23, 2016

Corbyn’s likeness is clear in the CCTV, though the faces of other passengers have been pixellated.

The ICO has the power to fine organisations that breach the data protection laws.

Last week, it fined Hampshire County Council £100,000 for leaving the personal details of 100 people were found in a disused building.

Barrister Matthew Scott tweeted a section of the Virgin’s privacy policy, which said it would not “share or distribute any of the information you provide to us to unaffiliated third parties without receiving your consent, unless required to so by law”.

Scott said this included the CCTV on the trains.

Here is an extract from Virgin's June 2016 privacy policy (it includes information from CCTV on trains). pic.twitter.com/RyLcyDxqPc

— Matthew Scott (@Barristerblog) August 23, 2016

The Information Commissioner’s Office, which regulates the DPA, said it was “aware of the issue” when contacted with complaints about Virgin’s CCTV release, and confirmed to The Huffington Post UK it was “making enquiries”.

“We are aware of the publication of CCTV images of Jeremy Corbyn and are making enquiries,” an ICO spokesperson said.

“All organisations have an obligation to comply with the Data Protection Act and must have legitimate grounds for processing the personal data they hold.

“Where there’s a suggestion that this hasn’t happened, the ICO has the power to investigate and can take enforcement action if necessary.”

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