The Register® — Biting the hand that feeds IT

Advertising Standards boss gets Information Commissioner nod

Tharrick

Perhaps... 

this one will do his bloody job.

Or am I just being too optimistic here?

Gordon Mitchell

@Tharrick 

You really think they will give the Job to some that can do and not just toe the party/government line as now a political appointment job

Anonymous Coward

The ASA is not very good at upholding complaints 

Coat

.... I remember I complained years ago about a Tippex ad that appeared shortly after an inquest into a teenager who died from solvent abuse, including Tippex. The headline "dreaming of a white Christmas" seemed most inappropriate under the circumstances. Maybe it was only a local issue and it was a national ad campaign. It just seemed in very bad taste: running an advert with the suggestion of 'dreaming' at such a time, and having the product which had helped to kill their child reminding grieving parents about Xmas.

Needless to say, my complaint did not have enough other complaints supporting it for the complaint to be considered. Most people reading the advert would not make the connection. If it had not been for my reaction to the advert, I may not have remembered the case after all these years. Now each time I see that white bottle I am reminded. I don't recall ever noticing the name of the child who died: they were just someone who got too curious about the world.

How does a manager go from working in a culture were complaints are ignored wherever possible to one where a complaint should be taken very seriously indeed? Not what I would expect to see on a CV for the job.

That is someone checking for lining in the pocket.

Anonymous Coward

This isn't good.... 

Black Helicopters

As a previous AC has noted :

How does a manager go from working in a culture where complaints are ignored wherever possible to one where a complaint should be taken very seriously indeed?

I fear this guy's going to be a pussycat, eagerly bending over to receive whatever shafting the govt has in mind for us.

dephormation.org.uk

Why this man? 

Thumb Down

He has career links to the advertising industry, who are known for their respect for personal data.

He has no IT industry qualifications, interests, or experience.

He has no background in privacy policy, or data protection.

I can't see why he's been offered the job. It makes no sense.

Anonymous Coward

Pigs....trough 

Unhappy

@dephormation.org.uk

I think you meant "He has no interest in privacy policy, or data protection."

In other words, he's the ideal candidate.

Number of prosecutions for data protection infringements on his watch is guaranteed to be 0.

Ability to stop the government trampling all over individuals privacy: none.

Use to society: none.

Amazing what 140,000 will buy..

Tharrick

@Gordon 

Unhappy

Can you blame a guy for putting a brave face on it? *sobs*

Anonymous Coward

@dephormation.org.uk 

Stop

That's how government works - come on, where have you been. Several more appointments and he'll get a knighthood.

There is nothing anyone can do about it - you'll only get stressed worrying about things you can't change.