Corporate plan targets better data protection results
26 Mar 2014 02:42 PM
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 Twitter, Facebook 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.