Privacy and Data Disclosure

Have you ever received phone calls when the other party say "Congraluatations! You had won yourself a first class ticket to ***!" or You have been selected for a job interview by *** Financial Services."

Yday, I did. It was the nth time in 2 months. So when I asked the caller, how did they get my number where apparantly I do not give my numbers out to survey companies or such. They said they bought my number in the database. I am quite careful in giving out my numbers as I do not like unneccessary calls. So this can only boils down to either telcom companies, credit card company or goverment related bodies. Oh ok, sometimes some boutiques or shops. But definately not so made-known survey companies.

How can they give out my numbers and personal details to a database company??? That is an infringment of privacy! Furthermore take my details and make it a profit earning business. That's consider STEALING! If they told me that my details would be sold to a database company and I am agreeable to it, then its fair. But if I give my details for other reasons and the party sold it, why was the other party not at fault?

So now the question comes in. Doesn't Singapore have privacy rights? Why we can't sue this sort of behavior?

Lifted up from Privacy and Human Rights 2003,

"There is no general data protection or privacy law in Singapore.[2239] The government has been aggressive in using surveillance to promote social control and limit domestic opposition.[2240] In 1986, then-Prime Minister and founder of modern Singapore Lee Kwan Yew proudly described his stance on privacy:

"I am often accused of interfering in the private lives of citizens. Yet, if I did not, had I not done that, we wouldn't be here today. And I say without the slightest remorse, that we wouldn't be here, we would not have made economic progress, if we had not intervened on very personal matters - who your neighbor is, how you live, the noise you make, how you spit, or what language you use. We decide what is right, never mind what the people think. That's another problem.[2241]"

So that explains everything. This is not a case of breaking the Law but rather morally, whether is it ethical or not!

You guys can read more on this at this website: http://www.privacyinternational.org/survey/phr2003/countries/singapore.htm