Which way now for database screening?

Howard Lake | 19 October 2017 | Blogs

• Tagged with:
• Prospect research

It looks like database screening may not be as popular as it once was.

I have been wrestling with reviewing data protection, wondering whether “legitimate interest” is an acceptable basis on which to retain data on identifiable individuals. As mentioned in a previous blog, I have been reassured that it is OK to undertake research for clients and then delete data on identifiable individuals.

According to its website, Factary decided last year to “dissolve” its internal database and remove all its information from its servers. Factary no longer maintains such a database, and doesn’t intend to do so in the future. Factary now maintains a database (Office of National Statistics, Land Registry, etc) of statistical information of geographical wealth indicators in the UK. This database is now used for Factary’s current database screening service. It contains no personal information, or information that would allow the personal identification of any individuals.

When database screening was being discussed in autumn 2015, I gave a presentation at the Researchers in Fundraising Conference, showing how fundraisers and researchers can undertake database screening using standard Microsoft software and some freely available data, including the Land Registry.

According to the Prospecting for Gold (PfG) website, PfG still maintains its Wealth Intelligence Database, containing information on over 240,000 UK-based millionaires and influential people.

It looks like the Information Commissioner will publish advice on “legitimate interest” some time in 2018.

Finbar Cullen, ResearchPlus

• Prospect research: the value of estimating wealth & how to go about it (11 August 2021)
  
• Sunday Times publishes online guide to the wealthy (7 April 1996)
  
• Funding Digest publish online (3 November 1996)
  

About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale. He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.