Skills sessions

I went to a skills session yesterday, there was one point that troubled me the private company wanted a copy of my CV to keep and send out to other recruiters in there group if any suitable positions came along for me to do. I refused as I don’t need anyone spamming my CV around to employers, ruining my chance of employment. I was wondering how legal this is to do this, with the data protection issues etc. And what is the polite way to tell them that I don’t wish them to have a copy of my CV?  

It is your data so your choice about who you do or don't give it to. In the same situation, I would just tell them straight that you politely decline their request.

Was their request accompanied by any threat of penalty?

El-dudeareno wrote:if any suitable positions came along for me to do

The DPA to one side - how would they even know which positions were "suitable" unless they also had a copy of your claimant commitment? You may have travel restrictions or disabilities that don't appear on your CV. I don't know of any real recruitment agency that doesn't interview the potential candidate face to face before accepting their CV for potential employment positions. I also believe that handing over your CV to a total stranger is giving away your ability to see firsthand whether the position is "suitable" or not.