An intervention by the Data Protection Commission with the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) to address privacy concerns has ended the practice of publishing owners’ names and addresses of private aircraft.
The move was triggered by an individual’s discomfort over the public availability of personal information on IAA’s aircraft register website against a background of increased harassment and intimidation of aircraft owners internationally, sometimes under the guide of climate activism.
IAA is required to maintain a register of the 1,377 private aircraft owned in Ireland for public inspection, which previously included names and residential addresses.
DPC deems the online publication of private aircraft owners’ personal details as excessive and invasive of privacy, prompting the IAA to redact such information.
Most Irish-registered aircraft are owned by airlines or charter companies, with some in private hands.
The Data Protection Commission reports a spike in complaints and issues record fines, while emphasising the need to balance public disclosure with individuals’ right to privacy.
