As most readers of this blog will know Carerwatch discussion forum was taken down last week. Full details here.
We contacted Atos and our initial letter to them can be read here
We stated that all communications would be posted in the open as this blog is the only means we have left to reach some of our members.
Today we received a reply -
Dear Frances,
Thank you for your email. We acknowledge that the closure of the forum has caused unnecessary concern for your members and would like to assure you that this was never our intention. Our request was that the libellous content relating to Atos Healthcare and our employees be taken down in order to protect the reputation of our employees and company against the false and malicious allegations that were posted.
We fully support the right of people to express their opinions and would very much like to work with you to ensure your forum is reinstated as soon as possible. I would invite you to call me on the number below, so we can discuss further.
Best regards
Caroline
CarerWatch never received any such request.
We are still not aware of which content Atos considered ‘libellous’
We are unaware of false and malicious allegations
We are pleased Atos have agreed to work with us as there are still issues to be resolved.
Our latest reply to the above statement was sent earlier and reads –
Dear Caroline
Thank you for your letter. We are pleased that you want to take steps to resolve this matter.
We can’t imagine that any content on our site is libellous to ATOS. Obviously if it was we would remove it but we cannot think how this can be the case.
Please can you supply details of the comments on our private discussion group that you consider libellous to ATOS so that we can understand what you are concerned about.
Frances
Any further communications will be posted here.
Tags: Atos, benefits, carer watch, Carers, carers allowance, welfare reform
24 August 2011 at 22:30 |
Thank you for keeping me informed of this. I hope this is resolved and Atos makes clear what the so called offending posts were, why they chose to go to the host server and tell them to take the whole forum down and cut off disabled and carer before approaching you and be exact what posts were so called offending. And in a private room and forum surely any one can say what they like and it is up to the members and admin to check and correct and remove.
24 August 2011 at 22:50 |
There seem to be a large number of people who are awaiting the specifics of Atos’ charges and a full exposition of the offending material. Though, regardless of such content, I do not see how a private forum should be censored by an outside agent. Atos couldn’t legally burst into a private gathering of people in the real world and try to put physical gags on them, why should it be any different in a cyber gathering?
24 August 2011 at 23:28 |
Interesting to record that ATOS are monitoring Forums that might upset their gravy chain ?
As they are virtually an extension of the Government ( carrying out policies ) , it is imperative that all concern get to the bottom of this.
Just who instigated this action ? ATOS …. or where they acting on behalf of someone in Government ?
It’s a shame that CarerWatch has no legal identity., merely a name of a Forum. Otherwise , action could be taken against ATOS should there proved to be no substance behind their allegation.
For once , the legal fraternity might have taken an interest in all those affected by Government policy if there was a sniff of legal fees in the air.
Whatever …. DO NOT LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE
25 August 2011 at 05:59 |
I’d like to know how they can enter a private forum…and it’s quite clear that their approach was to shut you down, but they’ve been embarrassed by the reaction…
25 August 2011 at 09:48 |
[...] http://carerwatch.wordpress.com/2011/08/24/discussions-with-atos/ Share This News!!!!StumbleUponDiggRedditTwitterFacebookEmailPrintLike this:LikeBe the first to like this post. This entry was posted in News, Views, All Topics. Bookmark the permalink. [...]
25 August 2011 at 10:02 |
we mustn’t let them get away with this, as it raises many questions about how ATOS operate, and the power they have been given by our government to bully not only the vulnerable but carers too. We need a full explanation of their actions, and why are they so worried about a carers forum, perhaps because we speak the truth??
25 August 2011 at 10:25 |
[...] to work with CarerWatch to ensure the site is reinstated as soon as possible”, Atos have so far failed to provide the site’s owners with details of the material they object to, leaving the forum in limbo and [...]
25 August 2011 at 11:55 |
Some thoughts for all the ” I see a conspiracy everywhere ” brigade.
ATOS take legal action to silence ( possible ) adverse comment on a message board who sole function is to provide a home for disillusioned aged \ disabled \ caring people.
A month ago , the BBC close the OUCH message board.
Both quasi arms of the Government , one carrying out governmental policy , the other totally reliant on Government ( via the taxpayers ) monies.
Any connection ?
Perhaps a Freedom of Information Act request for any correspondence passing between the Government ( DWP ? ) and
ATOS / BBC relating to CarerWatch / OUCH could be somewhat revealing ?
Any similarities between ATOS’s methods leading to their actions with the way the NOTW went about theirs ?
Apart from the comrades at the Morning Star ( thanks ! ) , nothing unusual in almost no media coverage ( although the Guardian maybe waking from it’s slumber ) ?
An iceberg …. only 10% or so actually visible above the surface ?
Where’s our modern day version of Woodward & Bernstein when we need them ?
After all , what’s at stake here ?
Must end , the plumbers have started to trace me …..
25 August 2011 at 12:08 |
[...] Origin are still not back despite Atos claiming to be willing to negotiate. It now appears that Atos are refusing to even state which posts on the site, a volunteer-run online meeting place for disabled people and their carers, they have deemed to be [...]
25 August 2011 at 13:10 |
I thought I would leave a link which covers the Human Rights Act and its contents on Freedom of expression
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/governmentcitizensandrights/yourrightsandresponsibilities/dg_4002951
ATOS is in the public eye for its £100 million pound a year (3 years) contract and much discussion is raised about this. http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/latest-news/1274-atos-gets-another-three-years-
http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/atos_healthcare_cost_to_taxpayer , http://www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/messageboards/NF2322273?thread=7299142 looks at the cost also incurred by the administration and process of appeals.
http://www.whywaitforever.com/dwpatos.html and http://www.whywaitforever.com/dwpatosbusiness.html
25 August 2011 at 13:24 |
[...] Origin are still not back despite Atos claiming to be willing to negotiate. It now appears that Atos are refusing to even state which posts on the site, a volunteer-run online meeting place for disabled people and their carers, they have deemed to be [...]
25 August 2011 at 21:23 |
[...] CarerWatch [...]
25 August 2011 at 23:35 |
Do you have a backup of the forum?
If you need a host let us know
We will be happy to help.
It appears as if the host was intimidated by “cease and desist” letter… cowards…
26 August 2011 at 15:25 |
[...] Origin are still not back despite Atos claiming to be willing to negotiate. It now appears that Atos are refusing to even state which posts on the site, a volunteer-run online meeting place for disabled people and their carers, they have deemed to be [...]
26 August 2011 at 16:38 |
Where’s our modern day version of Woodward & Bernstein when we need them ?
We are here and we are doing our best, but we are all disabled and have a limited spoon supply
5 March 2012 at 14:28 |
The Guardian does seem to cover occasional ATOS stories, but increasingly it, along with many other mainstream media outlets, appears to be limiting itself to opinion pieces on stories covered or found elsewhere, rather than following up original (and thus risky) leads.