I note that the Lions are trying to sweep the Pinskier privacy breach under the carpet. I would encourage everyone make as much noise as they can. The actions of the club to date on this matter have been quite simply appalling.
Below is the gist of my complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. I would encourage others to consider doing something similar. I have tried to get the club to do better but they have stonewalled.
In September 2013 I was contacted by email by a Dr Henry Pinskier who was soliciting support for a campaign to appoint directors at a scheduled EGM. I am a member of the Brisbane Lions and I am given to understand that all members were contacted by Dr Pinskier who is unrelated to the club but is a known associate of at least one Lions director, Cameron Millner. Dr Pinskier claimed to have gained the email addresses from unnamed, but legal sources but he could not have done so for either myself or for many other members (this is apparent from online discussions on BigFooty and other fan sites). The only place I use my work email for AFL related matters is with my membership with the Brisbane Lions and so the only place Dr Pinskier could have gotten my email address is from the club or a party to whom the club has given my details.
Therefore I have great concerns that Dr Pinskier and others would have access to the full membership date including personal information such as my address, credit card numbers, date of birth etc. The fact that Dr Pinskier has my email address that could only have come from the club in these circumstances is very strong prima facie evidence that the Brisbane Lions have breached the Privacy Act. There is simply no other explanation that is rationally possible.
The Club claims to have investigated the matter and released the following statement:
Friday 8 November 2013
Club Statement
The Brisbane Lions have completed an investigation into emails distributed to some club members by Dr Henry Pinskier.
The review by the Club’s integrity officer found no evidence at this point in time to suggest data had been given to any person outside the Club.
The investigation involved interviews with a range of staff and a review of the Club’s mail server.
Lions Chairman Bob Sharpless said he and other Directors was satisfied with the result of the investigation.
Mr Sharpless met with Dr Pinskier and is satisfied the email addresses were acquired independently from sources outside the Club.
“My discussions with Dr Pinskier showed his businesses have the capabilities to generate an email list from publically available information,” said Mr Sharpless.
“I am happy with the thoroughness of the Club’s investigation and the Board is satisfied with its findings.”
The Club has no further comment to make at this stage.
Clare Pettyfor
Media Officer
Brisbane Lions AFC
Tel: 07 3335 1729 Mob: 0412 635 741 Email: cpettfyor@lions.com.au
I had complained the the club but was not contacted during the supposed investigation. No members who expressed similar concerns were contacted as far as I am aware. I note from the wording of the above statement that it would appear that the club did not question directors (who are known associates of Dr Pinskier), did not investigate other server downloads of the membership data (just the mail server) nor did they investigate third parties who had access to the information (e.g. mailhouse service providers, the AFL etc). In short it appears that very little has been done to investigate what I would consider a very serious breach of the privacy of members.
Below is the gist of my complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. I would encourage others to consider doing something similar. I have tried to get the club to do better but they have stonewalled.
In September 2013 I was contacted by email by a Dr Henry Pinskier who was soliciting support for a campaign to appoint directors at a scheduled EGM. I am a member of the Brisbane Lions and I am given to understand that all members were contacted by Dr Pinskier who is unrelated to the club but is a known associate of at least one Lions director, Cameron Millner. Dr Pinskier claimed to have gained the email addresses from unnamed, but legal sources but he could not have done so for either myself or for many other members (this is apparent from online discussions on BigFooty and other fan sites). The only place I use my work email for AFL related matters is with my membership with the Brisbane Lions and so the only place Dr Pinskier could have gotten my email address is from the club or a party to whom the club has given my details.
Therefore I have great concerns that Dr Pinskier and others would have access to the full membership date including personal information such as my address, credit card numbers, date of birth etc. The fact that Dr Pinskier has my email address that could only have come from the club in these circumstances is very strong prima facie evidence that the Brisbane Lions have breached the Privacy Act. There is simply no other explanation that is rationally possible.
The Club claims to have investigated the matter and released the following statement:
Friday 8 November 2013
Club Statement
The Brisbane Lions have completed an investigation into emails distributed to some club members by Dr Henry Pinskier.
The review by the Club’s integrity officer found no evidence at this point in time to suggest data had been given to any person outside the Club.
The investigation involved interviews with a range of staff and a review of the Club’s mail server.
Lions Chairman Bob Sharpless said he and other Directors was satisfied with the result of the investigation.
Mr Sharpless met with Dr Pinskier and is satisfied the email addresses were acquired independently from sources outside the Club.
“My discussions with Dr Pinskier showed his businesses have the capabilities to generate an email list from publically available information,” said Mr Sharpless.
“I am happy with the thoroughness of the Club’s investigation and the Board is satisfied with its findings.”
The Club has no further comment to make at this stage.
Clare Pettyfor
Media Officer
Brisbane Lions AFC
Tel: 07 3335 1729 Mob: 0412 635 741 Email: cpettfyor@lions.com.au
I had complained the the club but was not contacted during the supposed investigation. No members who expressed similar concerns were contacted as far as I am aware. I note from the wording of the above statement that it would appear that the club did not question directors (who are known associates of Dr Pinskier), did not investigate other server downloads of the membership data (just the mail server) nor did they investigate third parties who had access to the information (e.g. mailhouse service providers, the AFL etc). In short it appears that very little has been done to investigate what I would consider a very serious breach of the privacy of members.
