Machine Guard

AMK · Post by **AMK** » Sun Jun 05, 2011 12:08 pm

Looking for advice here folks. Most of you will know what machine guard is all about. It's basically a website/forum thing where industry licence holders can pay a monthly fee and have access to this private website to view updates/security alerts.

Well basically it's become clear that my picture is on there. None of the places I have been asked to leave from have given much reason, other than 'your pictures on the internet'.

I have asked to speak to the management in most of the places but it's a no go.

Is it fair to deem that I'm defrauding the machines just because I know how to play them?

It's not like I'm braking into them or even using a key?

What I really want to know is what exactly have they been saying about me behind this 'closed door' website, and do I have the right to request that information under the FOI act?

It just isn't fair that people can make accusations of fraud but with no evidence.

Also are they allowed to just keep my picture and show it about without me even knowing about this?

Thinking of letting it all go, but so tempted to send the website a letter threatening legal action.

Any help would be great. Ta :-)

sir ratholer · Post by **sir ratholer** » Sun Jun 05, 2011 1:17 pm

I had a similar problem mate, call me when you have a chance tomorrow.

What they are doing is essentially illegal.

blackmogu · Post by **blackmogu** » Sun Jun 05, 2011 1:25 pm

Give them a Subject Access Request to find out what they hold on you, and then send them a letter to request the halt on the processing of your data. If they refuse to comply (which they legally have to do), take them to County Court.

Check out the Consumer Action Group for some templates for these letters. They are more geared towards debt etc., but you can tailor them for your requirements.

And please don't send the website a letter !! It's the totally wrong place to send anything. If you want to be taken seriously, send the letter(s) templates that I outlined above recorded delivery to:-

The Data Controller
Machine Guard UK
Riverside Business Centre, Riverside Road,
Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 0TQ

Cheers,
--bm.

AMK · Post by **AMK** » Sun Jun 05, 2011 1:39 pm

This may be a silly question. But how will I identify myself to them in the letter? Include an image of me? Lol I assume they won't have my name.

blackmogu · Post by **blackmogu** » Sun Jun 05, 2011 1:43 pm

A photocopy of your passport will do, if the image is reasonably up to date. And machineguard does tend to link images to names (from my own experience).

I'd just send them my passport picture and a few photos that are up to date.

If they respond that they do not have any material linked to you, then you can remind them of their obligations and cite as a reference that one of their members has positively identified you from their service.

quizard · Post by **quizard** » Sun Jun 05, 2011 4:57 pm

I think you would be wasting your time trying to pursue some legal remedy. Pubs can bar anyone they want without giving a reason and are quite entitled to share information on people they consider undesirable. These days you are photographed on CCTV in nearly every pub you go in and you accept that by going in the pub. By making some sort of legal challenge you are only really drawing further attention to yourself and confirming that you really are the sort of person they don’t want in their pub (ie a professional player). I think it would by very unlikely to yield a satisfactory outcome.

You would be better off maybe just changing your appearance and hoping the heat eventually dies down

Data protection laws and FOI are different things BTW. FOI only applies to public bodies. And if the only info they have on you is an image with no personal details attached that identify you I would doubt if there is much you could do under data protection laws either.

below from their website:

sir ratholer · Post by **sir ratholer** » Sun Jun 05, 2011 5:45 pm

Quizard, I think his problem is not pubs...

mr lugsy · Post by **mr lugsy** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 6:12 am

01502537719

please only use this number to report suspicious machine related incidents.

toothless11 · Post by **toothless11** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 8:03 am

I had the same problem a few years back, they I.D me in a pub, reported me and then found me on facebook, took a picture from my profile and used that.

It has happened to me years back when I was doing William hills. I know it's uncomfotable knowing they have your picture, but if you haven't done anything wrong then it will soon pass.. It is strictly illegal mate, but sooner than later, you pic will be old news and I'm sure someone elses picture will be used.. If it's bothering you alot mate, take the long winded legal route which might consist of court hearings and meetings which is less tine grafting.

All the best with whatever you choose mate.

Spyder · Post by **Spyder** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 8:01 pm

if you send your passport, they then have your full name and address, and your passport.

is this a good idea?

maybe lay low in these pubs for a while, and wait till the photo goes out of their memory??

harry2 · Post by **harry2** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 11:11 am

Get your own back. Write to Gary Pettengal at 47 Rowan Way, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 8PS. or send him a birthday card on 22nd September (he will be 46).

mr lugsy · Post by **mr lugsy** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 7:35 pm

i'm soooo sure he will appreciate that Harry.

mr lugsy · Post by **mr lugsy** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 7:46 pm

http://www.thiswayupezine.com/index.php ... Itemid=141

i like the bit about the lithuainians being promised a pot of gold

harry2 · Post by **harry2** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:15 pm

There's a slightly different spelling. Petengal is off the companies house register.

mr lugsy · Post by **mr lugsy** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:36 pm

i'm sure it's the same guy , he had his mug in coinslot years ago , certainly before he became the lithuanian national hero.