Shall we witness a shift towards a 'fossil-fueled dark era' in shareholder engagement during Annual General Meetings?
In a recent search for information, it has been found that there is a lack of transparency regarding the collection, retention, and sharing of biometric and behavioral data at Annual General Meetings (AGMs) of major London-listed fossil fuel companies. No publicly available sources provide direct information on these matters [1][2][3][4][5].
While specific details remain elusive, it is likely that the biometric and behavioral data collected at these AGMs is held by the company organizing the event or a contracted third-party service provider, such as an event security or identification firm. The data retention periods, sharing, or selling policies would typically be documented in the company's privacy policy or AGM attendance terms and conditions [6].
Under UK and EU data protection laws, companies must disclose what data they collect, how long it is kept, and who it is shared with, especially sensitive data like biometrics. Sharing with third parties or foreign governments without explicit legal basis and consent would be legally restricted [6].
Recent incidents at AGMs of companies like BP and Shell have raised concerns about surveillance, intimidation, and exclusion, potentially threatening shareholder democracy and the foundational rights enshrined in corporate law. Incidents include personal searches, confiscation of items, bundling of questions, followings, and denials of entry [7][8].
Moreover, it is unclear if the data collected at these AGMs is sold or shared with third parties, including foreign governments or border agencies. Some companies, such as Shell, have stated in their AGM Notices of Meeting that personal data of attendees may be disclosed to law enforcement, government authorities, courts, and relevant third parties [9].
Questions have been posed to both Shell and BP regarding the use and handling of data collected at their AGMs, and organisations like ACCR are seeking assurances about entry to upcoming AGMs [10]. The use of facial recognition and other surveillance technologies by the corporate security providers employed by these companies has also been noted [6].
As the collection and use of biometric and behavioral data at AGMs remains a matter of concern, it is crucial for individuals and organisations to consult the privacy statements published by these companies or their AGM organisers, or to contact their data protection officers directly for authoritative answers.
References: 1. Source 1 2. Source 2 3. Source 3 4. Source 4 5. Source 5 6. Source 6 7. Source 7 8. Source 8 9. Source 9 10. Source 10
The finance and energy sectors, being heavily represented by companies like BP and Shell, have come under scrutiny for their handling of biometric and behavioral data collected during Annual General Meetings (AGMs). Despite the importance of transparency under UK and EU data protection laws, it's not clear if this data is sold or shared with third parties, including foreign governments or border agencies, as disclosure on these matters is lacking in publicly available sources.
