topic Re: Username in My Account/Billing

Username

cbcadmin — Sun, 23 Jul 2023 06:25:51 GMT

Can anyone explain the username database to me please?

I've been with Plusnet (on and off) for many years now but each time I signup I am told my usename is taken rather than being asked to log into the account. There are only a limited number of ways you kind type a word.

Surely when a contract ends the username should be freed up, if it can not be used again?

Re: Username

Baldrick1 — Sun, 23 Jul 2023 08:31:49 GMT

@cbcadmin

You have answered your question yourself by discovering that you can’t reuse a Username.

Why not just append a number to your chosen name?

Re: Username

cbcadmin — Sun, 23 Jul 2023 10:07:16 GMT

That's what I have done, but I don't understand why I Have to. Surely it would benifit Plusnet if they could see a customer's purchase history for examole, if everything was on one account?

Re: Username

corringham — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 10:39:57 GMT

@cbcadmin wrote:
Surely it would benifit Plusnet if they could see a customer's purchase history for examole, if everything was on one account?

Unfortunately that has never been possible with Plusnet - at times I've had up to 3 broadband accounts and 4 mobile accounts at the same time. Each one has been separate, with different usernames and logins (and direct debits) - unlike other companies where I've had multiple products all managed under one account (and one direct debit).

I suspect this is due to the way Plusnet has historically added products by buying other companies - and inheriting separate billing systems. Plusnet's attempts at improving their billing system in the past have been disastrous. On that front I expect things to improve over the next few years as they get rid of all products except broadband.

Re: Username

Mustrum — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 11:24:33 GMT

Or a more recent practical reason may be adherence to GDPR regulations or whatever they may be called ..

Re: Username

cbcadmin — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 11:35:35 GMT

I undestand it has (up to now) not been possible, just wondered why as the pros would seem to outweigh any cons, but not knowing any details, I am just guessing. Good point about the take overs, but surely they should have control over their own systems, if not ones they have taken over? All just seems very odd to me. They seem to make things more difficult for everyone; including themselves.

Re: Username

cbcadmin — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 11:37:42 GMT

Don't get me started on that bunny! Companies just throw that at customers, but are quick enough to ignore/go round it if it is to their benefit.

Re: Username

corringham — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 12:35:35 GMT

GDPR has absolutely nothing to do with it. GDPR protects certain information relating to living individuals from unauthorised release - in no way does it force a company to use separate accounts for each product they sell to one person, nor does it prevent the reuse of a username, especially by the same person.

The restrictions are purely to do with Plusnet's billing systems and policy.

Re: Username

corringham — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 12:39:16 GMT

@cbcadmin wrote:
...but surely they should have control over their own systems, if not ones they have taken over?

They do, but developing or amending systems takes money (you need to pay enough competent staff, or outsource the work to a competent 3rd party). Plusnet choose not to spend the necessary money.

Re: Username

pjmarsh — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 13:20:33 GMT

@corringham, GDPR could certainly be involved here. It dictates that personal information should not be kept any longer than it is necessary for the purpose that it was collected. There may well be other laws in place that will dictate how long any data collected is "necessary", but ultimately there will become a point when it isn't and should be deleted.

Plusnets stance has always been for a long time that they won't allow the reuse of usernames. I don't know if Data Protection laws (either current or in the previous) have any bearing on management decisions that have been made at any point, but GDPR is definitely a lot more than just the unauthorised release of individuals data.

Re: Username

cbcadmin — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 13:29:44 GMT

But surely if the system identifies a username as in use then data is being kept for "longer than necessary" ? Maybe the answer is submit a SADR and see if the username really is in use?

Re: Username

pjmarsh — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 13:37:02 GMT

Not necessarily. Knowing a username is unavailable for use, and storing personal data about an individual can be two total separate things. If they did still keep all the personal data for all of the customers who have ever had an account/username would make it easier for them to reuse usernames if they so wished (for the same user) as they would be able to match on that.

I'm guessing you mean a DSAR, which is a Data Subject Access Request?

Re: Username

cbcadmin — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 13:43:09 GMT

Yes a Subject Access Data Request, but they do love to abbreviate things. :) Well there appears to be no problem with reusing a username on here which is on the same domain, although obviously maybe just a symlink.

Re: Username

pjmarsh — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 13:48:36 GMT

I don't know if you can reuse a username on here or not. I'd suspect not. If you mean you can log on with a previous account that hasn't been removed, then yes you can. You don't need to be a customer to sign up to an account on here. What constitutes how long is reasonable to keep data would be very different between an account you (largely) only get by being a paying customer on one system vs a free account that pretty much anyone could sign up for and keep as long as they wanted.

Re: Username

jab1 — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 13:52:08 GMT

Just FYI @cbcadmin . There is no 'personal data' associated with usernames on the forums (except the email address used to register), and in your case, the account has been 'live' since 14.02.2012. However, if as I did, you try to register with a username already 'in use' - even if that user has been long gone, you will get a 'this username is already in use, please try another one' message.

Re: Username

cbcadmin — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 14:33:25 GMT

Isn’t an email address considered “personal data”? I’m not worried I’m the least, but if *that* is all that is preventing a username being reused …….

Re: Username

cbcadmin — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 14:38:59 GMT

So it’s all guesswork?

Not to worry: I just thought someone on here might know, that’s all.

Re: Username

Baldrick1 — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 14:46:17 GMT

There’s a world of difference between recording that a username has been used and being able to associate that username with a name and address.

Re: Username

corringham — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 14:49:08 GMT

@cbcadmin wrote:

Isn’t an email address considered “personal data”? I’m not worried I’m the least, but if *that* is all that is preventing a username being reused …….

An email address may or may not be personal data - UK legislation doesn't have a precise list of what is and what isn't personal data, and things like email addresses may be personal data in some cases and not in others. It all depends on whether an individual can be identified by that data either alone or in conjunction with other data that is being processed.

Re: Username

cbcadmin — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 17:13:17 GMT

Thanks.