Voter data may be taken off market

Ministry of Justice has launched a consultation looking at arguments for and against commercial sale of the Edited Electoral Register. The review follows on from Recommendation 19 in the “Data Sharing Review” written by Dr Mark Walport and former Information Commissioner Richard Thomas. This stated that, “the Government should remove the provision allowing the sale of the EER.”

MoJ has already heard arguments for and against abolition, including the potential adverse economic and other consequences for businesses currently using it, such as for data validation, credit referencing and direct marketing. Its review sets out six possible scenarios, from immediate abolition through to changing opt-out to opt-in, or simply improving guidance for the public about EER usage.”