120. UoE sets out its case on section 40(2) from page A186 of the Bundle. In
summary in their submission:
in this situation there is a high risk that the mere redaction of a name will not
suffice to prevent identification. They say (A191):“Various individual data subjects are named directly. Some are identifiable in the
context of the Report, by reading it is a whole. Some will be identifiable from the
evidence they have given as recorded in the Report, even when they are not named,
because the detail of their accounts, or the references to them, will mean that
others with some awareness of the context will be able to work out their identity
(and consequently, inform others with the motivation to seek assistance).
disclosure of the redacted personal data would not be fair (Article 5) or
necessary (Article 6(1)(f)) or justified by that Article of the GDPR.
121. As regards fairness (A192) in summary UoE says that it would be unfair to
disclose personal data because:(a) it was obtained and processed in the Report on the basis of assurances of
confidentiality; and (b) disclosure enabling data subjects to be identified in the
context of their actions and reactions in the context of the matters discussed in the
Report, and the wider trans rights debate, is likely to cause them distress, harm and
abuse by third parties (in particular, on social media, which may be targeted at
those individuals whether or not they are on the same social media platform).
Indeed, there are relatively few matters of public debate at the present time which
are more prone to inciting toxic and abusive reaction than trans rights issues. Even
where the data subjects’ connection with the matters in the Report is already
known, disclosure will restart and regenerate existing attacks and abuse to no
positive effect. Disclosure is in this context fundamentally unfair.
122. UoE also assert that disclosure is not necessary to pursue the identified
legitimate aim because:“that aim is materially addressed by the published version of the Report. The
redacted portions provide, at most, some background context to the findings and
criticisms made of the University; it is those findings and criticisms and
recommendations which address the legitimate aim. Disclosure of personal data is
simply unnecessary: it is not the least restrictive way in which the aim can be met
and the Goldsmith tests are not satisfied.
123.
As regards striking a balance with the rights and freedoms of the data
subject UoE says:-
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