Privacy and records · QUICK REFERENCE
Public posts versus private case files
A public account should be a carefully reduced version of a private evidence file. Remove information that could expose you or other people without helping readers understand the issue. Keep detailed identifiers available privately for an appropriate, verified recipient.
A practical checklist
- Separate publishable text from original records.
- Avoid naming unrelated individuals.
- Review images for incidental personal details.
Putting it in context
A private case reference may help support locate a complaint. Publishing it beside an email address may add exposure without adding useful public context.
Keep in mind
Once information is public, removing your own post may not remove other copies.
References & further reading
The checklist and examples are original editorial guidance. External links provide background within their stated scope; they do not validate an individual operator or case.
- ICO: information for the publicUnited Kingdom · privacy information; guidance under review
- Operator Atlas: research methodologyOur original editorial method
About this edition: how the content is made · corrections & limitations