Information Commissioner's Office
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Corporate plan targets better data protection results

The ICO launches its latest corporate plan today, with the Information Commissioner promising a fresh approach to the handling of issues raised by the public around data protection concerns

The changes will see a shift in focus, with cases brought to the ICO used to identify broader data protection problems and improve organisations’ current practices.

The approach was first proposed in the ICO’s Looking Ahead, Staying Ahead public consultation in November.

The document also outlines plans for closer working with organisations such as trade bodies and other regulators to improve compliance, and the development of privacy seals and trust marks.

Information Commissioner Christopher Graham said:

“These changes are about getting better results, both for consumers and for data controllers. That means learning from the individual cases and concerns brought to our attention, and concentrating on where we spot systematic problems.

“There’s a focus too on working with others, both in encouraging compliance and in developing privacy seals, so that the ICO is not seen as the first and last defence for compliance with legislation.”

You can learn more about the ICO’s new approach to how issues are handled in Simon Entwisle’s blog, published before Christmas.

The corporate plan details the strategic outcomes the ICO is seeking and how the ICO intends to achieve these over the next three years. It is reviewed annually, with public consultation.

View Christopher Graham's introduction to the new plan on YouTube: 

Notes to Editors

1. The Information Commissioner’s Office upholds information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals.

2. The ICO has specific responsibilities set out in the Data Protection Act 1998, the Freedom of Information Act 2000, Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003.

3. The ICO is on TwitterFacebook and LinkedIn, and produces a monthly e-newsletter.

4. Anyone who processes personal information must comply with eight principles of the Data Protection Act, which make sure that personal information is:

  • Fairly and lawfully processed
  • Processed for limited purposes
  • Adequate, relevant and not excessive
  • Accurate and up to date
  • Not kept for longer than is necessary
  • Processed in line with your rights
  • Secure
  • Not transferred to other countries without adequate protection

5. Civil Monetary Penalties (CMPs) are subject to a right of appeal to the (First-tier Tribunal) General Regulatory Chamber against the imposition of the monetary penalty and/or the amount of the penalty specified in the monetary penalty notice.

6. Any monetary penalty is paid into the Treasury’s Consolidated Fund and is not kept by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

7. If you need more information, please contact the ICO press office on 0303 123 9070.

Channel website: https://ico.org.uk/

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