UK's data watchdog seizes suspected Scottish nuisance caller's kit A Scottish company suspected of making 200 million nuisance calls that may have blocked railway safety hotlines has been raided by the Information Commissioner's Office. The UK data protection watchdog seized computer equipment and documents from the firm's offices yesterday. The company, which the ICO won't name until the …
Physical access was easy if not entirely legal; the antenna was, as I understand, usually mounted on top of a house or garage with the coax snaking out of a window. As far as DF, they had a directional antenna mounted on top of a van and would take bearings from several locations as they drove around. Turns out the General Post Office and MI8 did something very similar (without the pin-in-the-coax trick) back in the '20s and '30s with MI5 taking over to help find German spies operating within the UK, pretty cool!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direction_finding
"I bet the MD of the company is already putting plans in motion for another company to be setup."
I'm sure there are be criminal charges available in relation to endangering rail safety. They might keep him from setting up any more companies for a good while. I'd like to think the ICO will be liaising with British Transport Police on this one.
I bet the MD of the company is already putting plans in motion for another company to be setup.
Probably, sad to say. I wonder if the ICO can impound computer equipment pending the payment of any fine. I suspect not if the equipment is leased or otherwise not the property of the offenders.
Oh I do so hope it is the one who rings me several times a week - usually at meal times. The products and Scottish accents fit nicely. I warned them the last time that the ICO would get them. Coincidentally only a few days ago I sent the ICO a long list of the recent times they called me with their recorded message. The straw for the camel's back?
As others have pointed out - unfortunately probably another phoenix.
"Sent ... a long list"?
Pah. I've got the ICO complaint page on a browser tab - I'm usually half way through the complaint form before the caller drops the line! (obviously I keep the call open as long as possible in the hope that they are paying time-related call charges, though I have noted the calls usually terminate after about 55 seconds ...)
My blood pressure can just about put up with spam calls but some of the gits scare the bejesus out of my 'slightly more aged' mum!
https://www.networkrail.co.uk/feeds/new-mobile-warning-system-for-scottish-level-crossings-as-number-of-near-misses-rise-over-summer-holidays/
You don't ring them, they text you hence the issue with this firm sending texts.
Edit: Then again maybe not from looking at what the ICO say in the link, then again it is the ICO.
Edit 2: Google shows no phone number for checking level crossings that I can find.
Edit 3: Thinking about this, why would you have a number to call when you are texting all phones near a level crossing when a train is coming? That's madness I say.
"Edit 2: Google shows no phone number for checking level crossings that I can find."
Try Google Streetview and see if there is a big sign with a phone number on it.
Certainly, on the railway bridges near me, there are signs saying "If you have crashed into this bridge, please phone Network Rail on 01xxx xxx xxx, and quote bridge no. xxx"
"As others have pointed out - unfortunately probably another phoenix"
They have taken to going after directors that dont pay the fines for disqualifications via the insolvancy service. And the judges in question must hate spam because if you look at the stats for disqualifications they usually get about 10 years for that! So eventually justice is done.
"Thinking about this, why would you have a number to call when you are texting all phones near a level crossing when a train is coming? "
In the past there were phones at some level crossings and drivers of slow loads had to get clearance first. It is possible they were vectored onto a control centre phone line which could also be dialled with a conventional number.
In the past there were phones at some level crossings
In addition to the conventional level crossings we all "know and cherish" there are dedicated crossings for farm equipment and livestock where the railway line cuts across a farmer property. I can think of at least 3 around here off the top of my head. None of these has any safety or any automation. They are on a "call to clear" basis and the farmer is obliged to keep them locked when not in use.
There are a number of crossings in West Wales that require slow loads etc to be cleared with the signalman first, a number of collisions have occurred in recent years by idiots who felt the regs didnt apply to them.
Although an old news report this news item illustrates the subject and is as true now as when it was written .
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lincolnshire/4072835.stm
Jamming this call centre with spam is really criminal.
Surely it is time for some proper penalties for these parasites? The current approach is no deterrant, and achieves very little apart from adding to the list of closed companies. Make the directors personally (criminally) liable, and impose prison time for serious offences.
"ICO gets search warrant... for firm accused of jamming up railway safety hotline"
Worth noting that about half an hour ago, @ICOnews said on Twitter:
"ICO granted warrant: We’re pleased with the decision of the judge and we plan to execute the warrant shortly. This is just one part of a larger investigation into the use of personal data for political purposes and we will now need time to collect and consider the evidence"
Though I do wonder how long "shortly" will be. Probably best not to rush, in case there is still evidence to be disposed of. Monday morning will probably do.
What the fuck has our Train Station got to do with your hatred of the previous US President? For your information Scotland is not part of the US and although the Orange One has a golf course in Scotland he is not the most popular figure there so why don't you fuck off with your sad bitter post and return to breitbart!
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