Press Complaints Commission >> News >> PCC upholds privacy complaint against Loughborough Echo

PCC upholds privacy complaint against Loughborough Echo

The Press Complaints Commission has upheld a complaint against the Loughborough Echo after it published a private mobile telephone number without consent. The newspaper admitted that the inclusion of the complainant's phone number, which was not accessible to the public, was a serious error and the editor apologised unreservedly. However, while the Commission welcomed this prompt expression of regret, there had clearly been a breach of Clause 3 (Privacy) of the Code of Practice and the complaint was upheld.

The article inquestionhad reported a couple's concern that their home had been damaged by a building developer and the subsequent involvment of the local council in seeking to resolve the problems. The couple complained that the whole story was intrusive because they had not consented to its publication. However, the Commission rejected this more general complaint on the basis that the information included in the article - apart from the mobile telephone number - was not intrusive in breach of Clause 3 (Privacy) of the Code of Practice.

To read the adjudication in full click here

For further information please contact Stephen Abell on 020 7831 0022.

6/2/09

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