View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Media Law
September 5, 2014

PCC rejects privacy complaint from man who objected to coverage of his successful ‘right to be forgotten’ request

By William Turvill

The Press Complaints Commission has rejected a privacy complaint by a man who objected to his 'right to be forgotten' request being reported.

Robert Daniels-Dwyer was judged by Google to have the 'right to be forgotten' over a 2006 Oxford Mail story reporting his conviction for stealing £200 worth of items from Boots.

In response the Oxford Mail, published a story reporting the fact that the story would not show up on Google under certain search terms.

While Press Gazette made reference to the story, Holdthefrontpage, the Essex County Standard and The Guardian followed up the report in detail.

And Holdthefrontpage today reports that all four publishers were subject to a PCC complaint from Daniels-Dwyer under clause 3 (privacy) of the Editors' Code of Practice.

The complaint was rejected, with the website reporting that “the Commission said continued publication of information already in the public domain did not constitute a breach of privacy”.

Content from our partners
Free journalism awards for journalists under 30: Deadline today
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition

Holdthefrontpage reports the PCC as saying: “Given the importance of the general principle of open justice, the Commission did not consider that its continued publication represented a failure to respect the complainant’s private life.”

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network