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Communications data / Call data records (CDRs)

Request date
3 August 2023

Outcome
Full disclosure

Document actions
Print or save (opens in new tab)

Request

  1. Since 1 January 2018, on how many occasions has the Gambling Commission obtained the 'communications data' (e.g. Call Data Records, or CDRs) of individuals from mobile telecoms providers, either directly or indirectly through another agency (e.g. Met Police, Home Office, etc.)?
    Please break this down into:

a) number of separate occasions these were requested
b) number of individual phone numbers for which CDRs were requested
c) the legal basis for the requests
(please specify the number of requests per legal basis. Forexample, “total requests: 3, Investigatory Powers Act – 2, Consumer Protectionfrom Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 -- 1”)
d) the particular legislation used e.g. PACE, RIPA, IP Act (number of instances as a percentage of the total)
e) what percentage of requests for that data that were rejected, and the reasons for the rejection.
For guidance, CDRs are part of 'communications data' from a telecoms company. Please see this document, particularly page 13: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/426248/Acquisition_and_Disclosure_of_Communications_Data_Code_of_Practice_March_2015.pdf (PDF) (opens in new tab)

  1. Since 1 January 2018, has the Gambling Commission purchased or otherwise received (including free of charge) any anonymised mobile phone communications data sets (otherwise known asanonymised CDRs), be they of individuals or aggregate data. (For your information, an example of commercial 'big data' for mobile phones can be found here:
    https://thenextweb.com/uk/2012/10/09/telefonica-launches-big-data-analysis-service-for-business-and-local-authorities/) (opens in new tab)

a) If yes, please state on how many occasions and when
b) From which telecoms providers the communications data originated
c) If purchased via a third-party, please specify which company
d) The intended use of that data
e) The total amount spent, if anything
f) If not purchased but nonetheless shared, please state the name of the body that provided the data

Response

Thank you for your request which has been processed under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).

The Gambling Commissions response to your enquiries are as follows:

  1. Since 1 January 2018, on how many occasions has the Gambling Commission obtained the 'communications data' (e.g. Call Data Records, or CDRs) of individuals from mobile telecoms providers, either directly or indirectly through another agency (e.g. Met Police, Home Office, etc.)?
    Please break this down into:

a) number of separate occasions these were requested
1

b) number of individual phone numbers for which CDRs were requested
4

c) the legal basis for the requests
(please specify the number of requests per legal basis. Forexample, “total requests: 3, Investigatory Powers Act – 2, Consumer Protectionfrom Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 -- 1”)
RIPA - 4

d) the particular legislation used e.g. PACE, RIPA, IP Act (number of instances as a percentage of the total)
RIPA - 100%

e) what percentage of requests for that data that were rejected, and the reasons for the rejection.
0%

  1. Since 1 January 2018, has the Gambling Commission purchased or otherwise received (including free of charge) any anonymised mobile phone communications data sets (otherwise known asanonymised CDRs), be they of individuals or aggregate data. (For your information, an example of commercial 'big data' for mobile phones can be found here:
    https://thenextweb.com/uk/2012/10/09/telefonica-launches-big-data-analysis-service-for-business-and-local-authorities/) (opens in new tab)

a) If yes, please state on how many occasions and when
0

b) From which telecoms providers the communications data originated
N/A

c) If purchased via a third-party, please specify which company
N/A

d) The intended use of that data
N/A

e) The total amount spent, if anything
N/A

f) If not purchased but nonetheless shared, please state the name of the body that provided the data
N/A

Review of the decision

If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your Freedom of Information request you are entitled to an internal review of our decision. You should write to FOI Team, Gambling Commission, 4th floor, Victoria Square House, Victoria Square, Birmingham, B2 4BP or by reply to this email.

Please note, internal review requests should be made within 40 working days of the initial response. Requests made outside this timeframe will not be processed.

If you are not content with the outcome of our review, you may then apply directly to the Information Commissioner (ICO) for a decision. Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have already exhausted the review procedure provided by the Gambling Commission.

The ICO can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner’s Office (opens in a new tab), Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.

Information Management Team
Gambling Commission
Victoria Square House
Victoria Square
Birmingham B2 4BP

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