Probe after 'refuse worker's Snapchat requests'

A refuse worker is being investigated over a potential data breach after allegedly using a young woman's personal details to contact her repeatedly on social media.

According to her father, the unnamed woman was left "frightened" when a worker at Stanton St Quintin Household Recycling Centre, near Chippenham, tried to add her on Snapchat and Instagram over a period of nine days in October.

He said: "You expect there to be a level of privacy and anyone who takes a fancy to someone can't just access their information and contact them – it's totally outrageous."

A Wiltshire Council spokesperson said it had referred the potential breach to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) to consider.

"As the matter concerns identifiable individuals and is subject to regulatory consideration, it would not be appropriate to comment further," they added.

The father alleged the worker had identified his daughter using information available through the recycling centre's system.

He reportedly sent "creepy" requests on social media just hours after she visited the recycling centre, the father claims.

"It's an abuse, you should not have to worry about people using your information," he said.

The council said FCC Environment, who operate the site, had "thoroughly investigated the matter", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

The council would not say whether its investigation had established if the worker had used information on council or contractor systems to contact the woman or if any action against the worker had been taken.

"All staff have been reminded of their responsibilities when viewing personal information," the spokesperson added.

The council previously said staff at recycling centres have access to a limited amount of information needed to check whether residents are eligible to use the service, comprising their vehicle registration, first name, surname and address.

When the allegations initially emerged, the council said it had received no previous complaints about recycling centre workers inappropriately accessing residents' information or contacting them privately after a visit.

At the time, councillor Paul Sample, cabinet member for waste, said residents should be able to use council services "with confidence" and that concerns were taken seriously.

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