DEAR MISS MANNERS: Prior to a two-day class/workshop, the instructor emailed the roster to all the students. This roster included everyone’s names, addresses, email addresses and phone numbers.

In an email to the instructor, I politely inquired if it was necessary to have done so, and I was told that it was to enable students to stay in contact once the course was finished.

I replied that while I would be glad to give out my information if asked, there are some people who are concerned about privacy issues. Her response was that she wouldn’t give out MY information, should anyone ask her for it.

Am I wrong in thinking that students’ permission should be a prerequisite for distribution of their personal data? Or could it be that by registering for this course, I signed away my rights? Should I just drop this issue, even though it really bothers me?

I do not think it would do any good to contact her supervisor; it’s a small, family-run school that has been in business for decades. My issue with privacy would just make me look like a “problem” student or a know-it-all.

GENTLE READER: The fact that this is a small family business makes your request all the more reasonable: Surely they would not want to risk losing more customers.

Miss Manners would say, “I understand that this may be your company’s practice, but I don’t think it’s safe — or possibly legal — to distribute such personal information to strangers without permission. Please reconsider your policy. And at the very least, do not give out mine in the future.”

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, [email protected]; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.