The Electoral Register includes the names and addresses of almost every UK citizen over the age of eighteen. Until 2002, the full electoral register could be sold to any commercial company for any purpose. The Edited Register was introduced because of public fears concerning access to information obtained from the electoral register.
The Full Register
Regulations came into force in 2002 that allowed individuals to opt-out of having their electoral information sold to commercial companies. As a result, following the introduction of these regulations, the full register is available for use in elections or for use by credit checking companies for the sole purpose of conducting credit checks. It is also used for security, law enforcement and crime prevention.
The Edited Register
The Edited Register, which contains approximately 80% of all Electoral Register listings, can still be sold to commercial companies for any purpose. Since 2003, 192.com has published the Edited Register only.
Archived Electoral Roll
In addition to the current 2008 - 2009 Electoral Register, 192.com also publishes archived electoral data from 2002 - 2007. While regulations have been introduced to allow individuals to opt-out of the Edited Register, these regulations are not retrospective and therefore do not govern electoral data prior to 2002, which can still be published in full.
Why we publish the Electoral Roll?
Electoral information is in the public domain subject to conditions and is also the most definitive residential database in the country unlike the Directory Enquiry database, which only contains information on 50% of the population. In addition, it does not have the same search restrictions of the Directory Enquiry database.
The depth of data and the ability to use highly sophisticated search functionality make it a far more powerful resource for locating long-lost friends and family, particularly where there is limited address information. Thousands of people have been reunited with friends and family through 192.com’s Electoral Register, and it continues to offer significant value to both individuals and businesses.
Junk mail and nuisance sales calls
While many people have chosen to opt out of the Electoral Register the principle reason for opting-out tends to be because people want to stop receiving junk mail. There are in fact a number of dedicated services that are far more effective.
By signing up to the Mail Preference Service (MPS), The Telephone Preference service (TPS) and the Fax Preference Service (FPS), which are all free to join, any company that sends you junk mail or makes cold calls to your home is liable to a fine of as much as £5,000.
It is therefore a far better option to sign up to these services than to opt out of the Electoral Register if you are concerned with junk mail or nuisance sales calls.
Record Removal
There are of course some people who may wish to have their details removed for other reasons and, since 1997, 192.com has provided the option for anyone to remove their details from our versions of the Electoral Register. By simply download a CO1 form, or by writing to us by post, personal details will be removed upon request within 28 days, as required by law.
Identity Checking
While junk mail is a nuisance, for many people not being listed on the Edited Register can result in problems purchasing products or services online, as many companies rely on electoral data to verify their customers’ identities.
Credit checking companies do have access to the Full Register but the cost of a credit check can run into pounds not pence and for many businesses this level of check is far too cost-prohibitive. This is why so many companies rely on 192.com’s Electoral data, particularly when dealing with remote credit card transactions, where the credit check is not as relevant as the identity check.
So if you wish to have your details removed because you are concerned about junk mail or sales calls there is a better option– MPS, TPS or FPS.
If you wish to have your details removed for other reasons, please download a CO1 form from 192.com or write to us by post and request removal of your details:
By post:
The CO1 Requests Administrator,
I-CD Publishing (UK) Limited,
8-10 Quayside Lodge,
London, SW6 2UZ
Useful Contacts
Stop all Junk Mail and unsolicited phone calls
The Telephone Preference Service is a central opt out register whereby individuals can
register their wish not to receive unsolicited sales and marketing telephone calls. If you wish to
register with the Telephone Preference Service you can do so by visiting www.tpsonline.org.uk or by calling
0845 070 0707. If you wish to register to reduce personally addressed unsolicited mailings please contact the
Mailing Preference Service visiting www.mpsonline.org.uk or by calling on 0845 703 4599. These are separate organisations
and are not connected to 192.com
Once registered it is an offence for a company to contact you unsolicited (with a fine of £5,000).
Mailing Preference Service (MPS)
Mailing Preference Service (MPS)
DMA House
70 Margaret Street
London
W1W 8SS
MPS Registration line: 0845 703 4599
Tel: 020 7291 3310
Fax: 020 7323 4226
E-mail: mps@dma.org.uk
Web: www.mpsonline.org.uk
Licence Department: 020 7291 3327
Complaints Department: 020 7291 3321
Telephone Preference Service (TPS)
Telephone Preference Service (TPS)
DMA House
70 Margaret Street
London
W1W 8SS
TPS Registration line : 0845 070 0707
Tel: 020 7291 3320
Fax: 020 7323 4226
E-mail: tps@dma.org.uk
Web: www.tpsonline.org.uk
Licence Department: 020 7291 3326
Complaints Department: 020 7291 3323