Okay, I'm back to back up my statements. While yes, a phone number IS considered public information IF it comes from a publicly available source (like the phone book) the way he acquired said phone number was NOT cool. Here's a FAQ from the PIPA Website that although is talking about employer/employee, it can also be employee/customer:
- Can I disclose an employee’s home phone number without consent because it is listed in the telephone book?
No. A home telephone number is the personal information of the employee. Under section 7(a) of the PIPA Regulation, personal information is publicly available if it is contained in a telephone directory (additional conditions apply). The provision in section 20(j) to disclose publicly available information without consent applies only when an organization is collecting, using, or disclosing information directly from the telephone directory. It does not apply to disclosing telephone numbers from the organization’s records.
Sure, going to the Privacy Commissioner might be a bit far - but I strongly believe that something should be said to the manager. That was really unprofessional and a bit gross.
And Dess ---- I'm not a guy.
