Security Checks
We assume that everyone using the site is entitled to do so until we know differently. There are a number of security checks that we make and anyone failing the check is stopped from using the site pending appeal or proof of identity by another means.
Security and proof of identity is necessary to stop some individuals from signing-up many times in an attempt to influence voting results. Such practices are difficult and time consuming to achieve and have little effect on the overall voting percentages. We are, however, duty bound to try and weed them out.
You will not be able to propose questions unless you have passed at least some of the proof of identity security screens. Some of the more obvious security checks are :-
- Email address validation
- Postal address validation
- Credit card validation
- Telephone validation
- Voting pattern analysis
Email address validation
An email will be sent to the email address given. You will need to click the link in the email sent to you in order to validate your account and start using it. Thereafter random checks are made and every email address is verified within a 3 month period.
Postal address validation
Entering your postal address is optional. If you do, it will be checked against the Electoral Role and Royal Mail PAF address validation systems. It is also screened by a third party agency that will confirm residency. A failed validation may result in suspension of your account or the inability to become a full member. Obviously, if you have just moved into a property or are not on the electoral role, address validation will not work.
Telephone validation
This is optional, but often the best method of validation. If you enter a home phone number (landline) or a mobile then you may be called at random at any (suitable) time and validated by a third party agency. Home phone numbers prove the address and that the member is, in fact, living in Wales. Mobile phone numbers prove basic identity.
Voting pattern analysis
We have sophisticated software that looks for fraudulent duplications and suspicious voting patterns by groups of individuals. They are then suspended and their full details are verified for identity.
Security checks and fair play
Security checks are made upon the identity of voters to make sure that each person only has one membership account. And that they live locally!
Obviously, the internet and email addresses are fairly anonymous mediums which could be open to abuse. Email addresses are easy to obtain and someone could create ten email addresses quite easily. They could then create ten accounts and vote ten times. Given the number of questions to vote on that would take a long, long time to do - but there may be those out there willing to try.
We have numerous security measures that prove a person is who they say they are, we also have clever ways of looking at voting irregularities.
It is unlikely that any such duplicate accounts will have an effect on overall voting percentages, but we still wish to try and eliminate such fraud. This site is about voting, something we consider to be important and as such wish that the voters, and their votes, be respected. Even a small amount of fraudulent voting is an attack on the voting population of Wales and we have gone to great lengths to try and prevent it.
We would appreciate your patience and indulgence as we vet you, it is for your benefit. The votes cast in this system may influence local politics, and as such should be as accurate as we can possibly make them.
Privacy and Data Protection
We are notified under the Data Protection Act 1984 and, along with all others, are legally bound to protect private information from loss, misuse or unwarranted release.
Beyond the Data Protection Act we hereby further state that your private information will not be used for any marketing purposes or released to any third party companies, linked to us or otherwise. The sites arbiters are also involved in checking for such use, release or abuse.
When creating a membership account you have the option of proving who you are via your postal address, credit card or phone number. If you do then that information will never be released, unless to vet your identity. You may be called by a third party call centre who will verify your name, address and email address. You may also be mailed by us as a random security check.
Credit card details are not stored in this site and we do not have access to them.
Personal characteristics data
When creating your membership account you have the option of entering analysis information about you and your characteristics. This is to aid voting analysis, i.e. how many women voted, how many were ethnic or Welsh speakers, how many pensioners, how many normal labour voters voted against a certain question, etc. It is for more detailed (and valuable) analysis of voting patterns, useful stuff for local politicians and the media.
You do not have to enter this if you do not wish to.