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> You wouldn’t think that would be a big deal – but you’d be surprised. For example, students send us information about their databases all the time as part of

> You wouldn’t think that would be a big deal – but you’d be surprised. For example, students send us information about their databases all the time as part of asking questions – and they often send it unsolicited, through unencrypted email channels. That information ends up all over the place: our mail server, our desktops, phones, laptops, search indexes, etc. I’m not really worried about us maintaining the confidentiality of that data, but now we’d have to add in new audit-able tracking. That’s a good thing! Is it really that much to ask that when someone holds your data, that you can ask them to delete it and be assured that it’s gone for good? Apparently, for them, it is. And I’m sure it’ll be for a number of other businesses (and their competitors will just take their place, no big deal). But I’m looking forward to a world where unrestrained data collection and handling is no longer tolerated.

BrentOzar 9y ago
> Is it really that much to ask that when someone holds your data, that you can ask them to delete it and be assured that it’s gone for good? That doesn't give you the right to send someone your private data, in a channel they didn't ask for it, and demand that they secure that channel. This is the tough part about being a training company online: students send in questions with their personal data, unsolicited, via channels I simply can't secure. Your PII doesn't belong in email. > But I’m looking forward to a world where unrestrained data collection and handling is no longer tolerated. Read the post. It's not about what we collect - it's about what people send us voluntarily. That's the part that I'm most worried about. If I have no business relationship with those people, and they're just sending us personally identifiable data for no reason, I'm a lot more comfortable defending that in court. But if we have a business relationship where they're paying for our advice, and then they start sending more and more data, that's where I'm on shaky ground.
- moreira 9y ago
  I am absolutely not criticizing your decision; you’re perfectly within your rights to refuse to deal with all the rigamarole of GDPR compliance. It’s easier and only 5% of your revenue, so why even bother. And I completely understand the issue of people sending unsolicited data. I’m sorry that my comment came across as though I was targeting you specifically. I’m just excited for a world where data is no longer a “yeah let’s just store everything with no thought”, and instead is a hot potato that you keep a trail of and want to get rid of as quickly as possible. What a difference that’ll be from the situation we have today. This article is just highlighting how just accepting random data puts businesses “on shaky ground” as you said. The GDPR will require everyone to be a lot more thoughtful about their data retention policies, and that’s just great.
namlem 9y ago
Even so, the rule should at least only apply to data that was solicited. If you intentionally send data that was never asked for, through a channel not meant for that data, you shouldn't expect it to be treated the same as data that was collected through normal means.

BrentOzar 9y ago

> Is it really that much to ask that when someone holds your data, that you can ask them to delete it and be assured that it’s gone for good? That doesn't give you the right to send someone your private data, in a channel they didn't ask for it, and demand that they secure that channel. This is the tough part about being a training company online: students send in questions with their personal data, unsolicited, via channels I simply can't secure. Your PII doesn't belong in email. > But I’m looking forward to a world where unrestrained data collection and handling is no longer tolerated. Read the post. It's not about what we collect - it's about what people send us voluntarily. That's the part that I'm most worried about. If I have no business relationship with those people, and they're just sending us personally identifiable data for no reason, I'm a lot more comfortable defending that in court. But if we have a business relationship where they're paying for our advice, and then they start sending more and more data, that's where I'm on shaky ground.

moreira 9y ago
I am absolutely not criticizing your decision; you’re perfectly within your rights to refuse to deal with all the rigamarole of GDPR compliance. It’s easier and only 5% of your revenue, so why even bother. And I completely understand the issue of people sending unsolicited data. I’m sorry that my comment came across as though I was targeting you specifically. I’m just excited for a world where data is no longer a “yeah let’s just store everything with no thought”, and instead is a hot potato that you keep a trail of and want to get rid of as quickly as possible. What a difference that’ll be from the situation we have today. This article is just highlighting how just accepting random data puts businesses “on shaky ground” as you said. The GDPR will require everyone to be a lot more thoughtful about their data retention policies, and that’s just great.

namlem 9y ago

Even so, the rule should at least only apply to data that was solicited. If you intentionally send data that was never asked for, through a channel not meant for that data, you shouldn't expect it to be treated the same as data that was collected through normal means.