Do you allow the public to record their calls with you ? Laws and Vexstatious Policy

The request was partially successful.

Dear Department for Culture, Media and Sport,

FOI Request.

FOI REQUEST AND YOUR OWN VIEWS ON THE SUBJECT OCT 2018.

Freedom of Information Act 2000

http://www.freedomtalkradio.co.uk/uk-sur...

FOI Request. & Survey.

Freedom of Information Act 2000

Public Interest Survey

http://www.freedomtalkradio.co.uk/uk-sur...

1 Do you have any guidance or policy for the public or service users to record calls when they speak to your staff your call centres or in person Do you Inform The Public Users they can record. If the answer is no what is the reason for this please if so do send me a copy of why you dont inform the callers they can record but not to publish a call.

2 if You have a Unacceptable Behaviour Policy and Procedure can you tell me if one of these are to object to telephone calls being recorded by the caller due to it being not necessary or unwanted or indeed the staff member feels threatened can you explain why you would have such Unacceptable Behaviour Policy and Procedure that goes against current uk law. If there is no policy why not or how do I find out why ? The Public need to record all calls to help them in cases where public servants have lied or due to lack of training make these customers disadvantaged in some way. Is being vexstatious unacceptable behaviour how many times have you used this policy in a case and finally the landmark ruling in this case Dransfield vs Exeter Council is it fair to blame a person for being vexstatious rather than just simply leaving their name out of it as a example mr blogs commits fraud then the fraud policy is called mr blogs.

3. Are your staff the majority of them who answer public calls or when meeting a member of public are staff aware of the policies and the laws ref telephone recordings using the relevant laws laid down by legislation. if the answer is no why not. This sort of training awareness is needed as most call centres social workers teachers police members of parliament are not aware recordings are aloud will you highlight the public is ok to record a 2 way call or will you let the confusion continue.

4 If you have no policy advice or framework for the above will you develop a policy etc if there is a policy send me one pls. Will you encourage the public to record a 2 way conversation if the answer is no why not.

5 What are your organizations views on charging the public in foi requests and data protection and subject access requests should their information request be free.

What happens in a situation a benefit claimant or non waged person needs information what do you do to help them or someone who has no spare income. Is it fair if the public record you then they should charge you for a copy of the recording or video the same fee you charge them. Any tips and comments will help the public understand the uks public servants and business policies ref this subject.

6 What do you do and what is your policy when a serious complaint against a staff member is made when a person complains about wrong doing and has evidence of foul play in your organization will you accept covertly or permission based Audio or video evidence in the case. We know you have a complaints policy does this include this question.

Do you Fully investigate under public interest laws and take note of any criminal charges.

if the answer is no why not. Do send me a copy of the policy.

The Public need to record all calls too many lies now its time for honesty.

Selflessness. Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.
Integrity. Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. ...
Objectivity. ...
Accountability. ...
Openness. ...
Honesty. ...
Leadership.

Yours faithfully,

Andrew Peacher

FOI Mailbox,

Thank you for your email which is now being dealt with by the Freedom of
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no-reply@dcms.ecase.co.uk on behalf of FOI Team,

FOI2018/13730

Andrew Peacher

[FOI #524836 email]

Dear Mr Peacher,

Thank you for your email of 8 October 2018 in which you made the following
request for information:

1 Do you have any guidance or policy for the public or service users to
record calls when they speak to your staff your call centres or in person
Do you Inform The Public Users they can record. If the answer is no what
is the reason for this please if so do send me a copy of why you dont
inform the callers they can record but not to publish a call.

2 if You have a Unacceptable Behaviour Policy and Procedure can you tell
me if one of these are to object to telephone calls being recorded by the
caller due to it being not necessary or unwanted or indeed the staff
member feels threatened can you explain why you would have such
Unacceptable Behaviour Policy and Procedure that goes against current uk
law. If there is no policy why not or how do I find out why ? The Public
need to record all calls to help them in cases where public servants have
lied or due to lack of training make these customers disadvantaged in some
way. Is being vexstatious unacceptable behaviour how many times have you
used this policy in a case and finally the landmark ruling in this case
Dransfield vs Exeter Council is it fair to blame a person for being
vexstatious rather than just simply leaving their name out of it as a
example mr blogs commits fraud then the fraud policy is called mr blogs.

* Are your staff the majority of them who answer public calls or when
meeting a member of public are staff aware of the policies and the
laws ref telephone recordings using the relevant laws laid down by
legislation. if the answer is no why not. This sort of training
awareness is needed as most call centres social workers teachers
police members of parliament are not aware recordings are aloud will
you highlight the public is ok to record a 2 way call or will you let
the confusion continue.

4 If you have no policy advice or framework for the above will you develop
a policy etc if there is a policy send me one pls. Will you encourage the
public to record a 2 way conversation if the answer is no why not.

5 What are your organizations views on charging the public in foi requests
and data protection and subject access requests should their information
request be free.

What happens in a situation a benefit claimant or non waged person needs
information what do you do to help them or someone who has no spare
income. Is it fair if the public record you then they should charge you
for a copy of the recording or video the same fee you charge them. Any
tips and comments will help the public understand the uks public servants
and business policies ref this subject.

6 What do you do and what is your policy when a serious complaint against
a staff member is made when a person complains about wrong doing and has
evidence of foul play in your organization will you accept covertly or
permission based Audio or video evidence in the case. We know you have a
complaints policy does this include this question.

Do you Fully investigate under public interest laws and take note of any
criminal charges.

if the answer is no why not. Do send me a copy of the policy.

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