WIREDGOV

Legislation / Legal

ICO:  The University of York breached the Data Protection Act by failing to close a test area on its website that contained thousands of students’ personal details, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) said recently.  While no direct link was available for the test area from the University’s website, 148 records were inappropriately accessed.  The information included students’ names, dates of birth, A-level results, mobile telephone numbers and addresses. 

The Information Commissioner will shortly launch the 2011 Student Brand Ambassador campaign aimed at spreading the word on how people can exercise their rights under the Data Protection Act, including tips on how to keep personal information secure.  15 students from universities across the will act as champions and ambassadors.
 Press release & links

EA:  The Environment Agency is the first enforcement body to use new civil sanctions - against an organisation that broke environmental regulations - as an alternative to criminal prosecution.  The EA has accepted an offer of £21,000 from Invensys PLC - an engineering & information technology company headquartered in London - for packaging waste offences.  

This funding will be given to specified organisations to drive environmental improvements in local communities.  By using civil sanctions in this way the EA is using its enforcement powers to ensure compliance and drive environmental improvements from regulatory breaches.

Press release & links