Warning to Players SE is STILL Banning!Follow

Unfortunately, they've done so to the wrong person. I've access to a county solicitor who deals with these issues day in day out for another government office, and who is a close friend of mine.

I also no all the ins and outs of the DPA, and know SE are in the wrong. I feel an enforcement notice is coming.

The maximum fine I believe is £5000 for serious breaches, but this is rare. If SE does not have a data controller, then they will find theirselves in more trouble. The fact the CSO contacted me and not the data controller suggests they do not.

Need to wait and see I'm afraid.

Square Enix Ltd are an international computer entertainment company, with offices in London, The United States and their head office in Tokyo. I am currently a subscriber to their online game, Final Fantasy XI, something I have been involved with for several years.

At the end of July 2009, I was involved in a conversation with a member of their staff in game, who informed me that a warning was being placed on my account but would not tell me what this was in relation to. I discovered a note would be placed about me on my account regarding this, and that the transcript of my conversation with them was also being recorded for their file. Unfortunately, this discussion was within the game, and it does not permit screenshots to be taken.

On the 11th August, I posted to Square Enix Ltd's London office a Subject Access Request. A copy of this letter has been attached for this, and I have also provided you with a post office receipt showing the tracking number and date of postage, along with their confirmation of the postcode the letter was being sent to. The letter was received on the 13th August 2009, and I have included a screenshot taken from the Royal Mail website as evidence that this was signed for.

As I had not received any form of acknowledgement, I contacted Square Enix Ltd on the 14th September through their webchat facility at www.playonline.com. I enclose a screenshot of this conversation, with their representative informing me they would not provide me with the information as it is private. I asked for this to be confirmed to me in a response to my letter, which has never arrived.

On the morning of the 23rd September, I received an email from an unnamed individual. They have referred to my Subject Access Request as a complaint, and again declined to give the information to me as it is not their policy to do so. They state the decision is final, and a screenshot of the email I received confirms this.

I am finding Square Enix Ltd to be most unhelpful in resolving this issue. They have yet to reply by post to my request, and the 40 day period has now expired. On my letter, I did not provide them with an email address for me to be contacted at.

The issue is distressing as I have no idea why the warning was made against my account and they refuse to explain. This is the reasoning for requesting the information they held relating to my account. There are several others having the same issue with Square Enix Ltd, although this is mainly being reported from The United States of America. I believe that Square Enix are in breach of The Data Protection Act 1998 and are refusing to comply with it when I have contacted them for information. I am given no reason over than "It is private" or "It's not our policy" when I have asked for information which I believe I am entitled to.

I hope that I have provided you with enough information. If you require further details, please let me know.

Cool story, bro.

I do not know why so many people like to discuss with this simple sentence!