floppyjock/everynowandthen
The UK Aircraft Register is a "Public Document" and enshrined in law as such - so it would need an Act of Parliament to change it. The CAA are merely carrying out their legal responsibility publishing the information, so no finger pointing at them (for a change!).
Before the internet, the Register was available for public view at the Kingsway office at a terminal there, and before that it was in big folders with each registration having a hard copy sheet about 12x16 inches in size with space for about the first eight registered owners.
Most countries of the world publish their registers online too.
I have heard it suggested that people who disagree with this have something to hide, but I'm sure that would not include you. Others are just annoyed with themselves for not discovering it earlier!