Olympics fans’ details given to new database

Information about 5.3 million people who applied for London Olympics tickets or volunteered for the Games has been passed on to a government-affiliated body.

Games organiser Locog said giving the names and email addresses on its customer database to Sport England was part of the 2012 “digital legacy” to get “more people involved in sport, as spectators, volunteers or participants, as well as in arts and cultural events”.

The information will go to Sport England, a non-departmental public body, and can be used by UK Sport and London & Partners.

Locog said credit card details, addresses and other personal data was destroyed after the Games.

Anyone who does not want their data passed on has until the end of this month to opt out of the Stay Inspired campaign. Subscribers will receive information on “the latest sporting, cultural and volunteering opportunities”, including the Rugby League World Cup, and the chance to win match tickets or meet sporting heroes.

Sport England chief executive Jennie Price said: “Our commitment to operating the database on a not-for-profit basis and staying true to Locog’s approach means that they can be sure their data won’t be sold on.”

Locog chairman Lord Coe said: “Millions took part in the London 2012 Festival and the torch relay and thousands signed up to be local leaders organising celebrations and community events. Millions have chosen to stay engaged.”

Nick Pickles, director of privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch, said: “We shouldn’t be ignoring basic data protection law and allowing millions of people’s personal information to be transferred without consideration of whether individuals might not be happy with that.

“Asking people to opt out isn’t good enough. It would be far better for the organisation that collected the data to contact people and ask them to opt into the new database.”