Websites should notify EU users about privacy breaches, says justice commissioner – OUT-LAW.com

“Europe-wide laws which require telecommunications companies to notify users if their data is at risk should be extended, the European justice commissioner has said.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 5th May 2011

Source: www.out-law.com

Information Commissioner gets new powers to fine for spam emails – OUT-LAW.com

“Organisations that make unwanted marketing phone calls or send spam emails to consumers could face fines of up to £500,000, the Government has warned.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 4th May 2011

Source: www.out-law.com

New camera commissioner could cause confusion, says privacy watchdog – OUT-LAW.com

“The Information Commissioner has warned that new plans for a Surveillance Camera Commissioner could result in confusion and conflicting regulation.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 3rd March 2011

Source: www.out-law.com

First details of Commission data protection action against UK are revealed – OUT-LAW.com

“Details of the European Commission’s objections to the Data Protection Act (DPA) have been revealed for the first time. A document has been published outlining why the Commission thinks the DPA fails to implement the EU’s Data Protection Directive.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 22nd February 2011

Source: www.out-law.com

ICO issues third fine for loss of unencrypted laptops – OUT-LAW.com

“Two local authorities have been fined a total of £150,000 by data protection watchdog the Information Commissioner after the theft of two laptops which, contrary to the councils’ policies, were not encrypted.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 10th February 2011

Source: www.out-law.com

ID cards go up in flames in first step to tackle ‘database state’ – The Independent

“Identity cards will be consigned to history today as the database recording the biometric details of thousands of people goes up in flames. Hard disk drives from the national identity register, which underpinned the ID card scheme, will be shredded and incinerated in a symbolic demonstration of efforts to rein back the ‘database state’ and restore civil liberties.”

Full story

The Independent, 10th February 2011

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Privacy watchdog urges stronger data protection in EU law review – OUT-LAW.com

“Organisations which lose personal data should be forced to disclose the data security breach, the European Union’s privacy watchdog has said. Planned changes to EU privacy law do not go far enough, said the official.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 24th January 2011

Source: www.out-law.com

Nativity photos not against law, says data watchdog – BBC News

“Parents should be free to photograph their children in nativity plays, the Information Commissioner has said.”

Full story

BBC News, 8th December 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

First fines issued over data protection breaches – The Independent

“A council was fined £100,000 by the privacy watchdog today for accidentally faxing highly sensitive information about cases involving child sex abuse and care proceedings to the wrong recipients on two occasions in the space of two weeks.”

Full story

The Independent, 24th November 2010

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Google in breach of UK data laws – BBC News

“Google breached UK data laws in its collection of personal data via Street View cars, the UK’s Information Commissioner has said.”

Full story

BBC News, 3rd November 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Google Street View: information commissioner shackled by Data Protection Act – The Guardian

“The UK information commissioner was prevented from taking stronger action against Google earlier this year after its Street View cars collected sensitive Wi-Fi because the Data Protection Act at the time limited his powers.”

Full story

The Guardian, 28th October 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

High court grants BT customer data delay – The Guardian

“BT has today been granted a stay of execution in its bid to challenge attempts of rights holders to obtain personal details about customers without convincing evidence of illicit file sharing.”

Full story

The Guardian, 4th October 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Lawyers vow to continue antipiracy fight – Daily Telegraph

“Law firms will continue to pursue those suspected of piracy and illegal filesharing, despite the ACS:Law data breach scandal.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 1st October 2010

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Law firm could face £500,000 fine over data breach – The Guardian

“The Information Commissioner could levy a fine of up to £500,000 on the London law firm from which the personal details of more than 8,000 Sky broadband customers, 400 Plusnet customers and 5,000 Britons accused of illicit filesharing have leaked in the past few days.”

Full story

The Guardian, 28th September 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Email leak being investigated at law firm that pursues filesharers – The Guardian

“The UK information commissioner is investigating the leak of thousands of emails containing personal information from the controversial solicitors’ firm ACS:Law after the company’s website came under sustained attack by online activists.”

Full story

The Guardian, 27th September 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Dog-owner prevented from finding microchipped pet under Data Protection Act – Daily Telegraph

“A man who had his dog microchipped before it was stolen cannot be told of its location because of data protection laws.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 22nd September 2010

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie win privacy damages – BBC News

“Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have accepted an undisclosed sum in settlement of their privacy claim against the News of the World.”

Full story

BBC News, 22nd July 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Behavioural advertising is fair if users can opt out, says privacy watchdog – OUT-LAW.com

“There is nothing ‘intrinsically unfair’ about behavioural advertising but website operators should offer visitors the option of using their services without any activity being recorded, privacy watchdog the Information Commissioner has said.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 7th July 2010

Source: www.out-law.com

Data Protection Act costs country £53m every year – The Independent

“Legislation to control the use of personal information costs Britain £53 million every year, the Government disclosed today.”

Full story

The Independent, 6th July 2010

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Privacy laws must move with the times – The Guardian

“The internet has revolutionised the way information is stored. Public input can help us keep privacy laws strong and relevant.”

Full story

The Guardian, 6th July 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Data protection laws: chance to have your say – Ministry of Justice

“Plans were outlined today to seek views on the European Data Protection Directive and the Data Protection Act to ensure that current laws continue to safeguard people’s personal data in the 21st Century.”

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 6th July 2010

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

EU threatens UK again over data protection laws – OUT-LAW.com

“The European Commission will pursue a case against the UK Government through the European Court of Justice (ECJ) if it does not strengthen privacy watchdog the Information Commissioner’s powers within two months.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 25th June 2010

Source: www.out-law.com

Privacy watchdog can issue £500,000 fines from 6 April – OUT-LAW.com

“Privacy regulator the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) will have the power to fine organisations for serious data protection breaches from Tuesday, 6th April. Organisations could receive fines of up to £500,000 under the new powers.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 1st April 2010

Source: www.out-law.com

Warning over pupil fingerprinting – BBC News

“Many schools are fingerprinting pupils without parents’ permission, teachers have warned.”

Full story

BBC News, 29th March 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Privacy watchdog will investigate day-to-day surveillance for Parliamentary report – OUT-LAW.com

“Privacy watchdog the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) will report to Parliament later this year on the degree to which UK citizens are put under surveillance.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 25th February 2010

Source: www.out-law.com

Bodies subjected to ICO audit will escape immediate fines – OUT-LAW.com

“Privacy watchdog the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has said that it will not use new powers to fine organisations for data protection law breaches if those breaches are discovered as part of one of its audits.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 12th February 2010

Source: www.out-law.com

How to appeal an ICO decision: new guidance published – OUT-LAW.com

“The new body which has taken over the power to rule on appeals from decisions of the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has issued guidance on how to conduct an appeal.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 1st February 2010

Source: www.out-law.com

Climate e-mails row university ‘breached data laws’ – BBC News

“A university unit involved in a row over stolen e-mails on climate research breached rules by withholding data, the Information Commissioner’s Office says.”

Full story

BBC News, 28th January 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Intercom security cameras ‘breach human rights’ – Daily Telegraph

“Intercom security cameras are to be switched off by Birmingham City Council in case it breaches the rights of people coming to the door.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 21st January 2010

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Information Tribunal is abolished as new service takes charge – OUT-LAW.com

“The appeals process for freedom of information and data protection cases changes from today as the previous structure is absorbed into a wider tribunals service.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 18th January 2010

Source: www.out-law.com

Government confirms £500,000 fines for worst data protection offenders – OUT-LAW.com

“Organisations responsible for major breaches of personal information security will face fines up to £500,000 from 6th April this year. The long-awaited penalties for serious data protection breaches have been approved by the Government.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 12th January 2010

Source: www.out-law.com

Half a million pound fines for serious breaches of data protection – Ministry of Justice

“The Information Commissioner will soon be able to impose a penalty of up to £500,000 on data controllers who seriously contravene data protection principles.”

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 12th January 2010

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Independent panel to oversee Hillsborough disclosure – Home Office

“The Home Secretary has announced the creation of an independent panel, which will be responsible for overseeing the release of documents related to the 1989 Hillsborough football disaster.”

Full press release

Home Office, 15th December 2009

Source: www.homeoffice.gov.uk

Data protection: a new dialogue – Ministry of Justice

“Justice Minister Michael Wills has given a speech on data protection in the public sector, and responded to a report on the database state.”

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 8th December 2009

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Information Commissioner’s Office demystifies data protection – Information Commissioner’s Office

“The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has produced a new plain English Guide to Data Protection to provide businesses and organisations with practical advice about the Data Protection Act and dispel myths. The guide will help organisations safeguard personal data and comply with the law. The guide takes a straight-forward look at the principles of the Data Protection Act and uses practical, business-based examples.”

Full guide

Information Commissioner’s Office, 26th November 2009

Source: www.ico.gov.uk

 

£500,000 maximum fine for data protection breaches: Government consults – OUT-LAW.com

“The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) would have the power to fine organisations up to £500,000 for serious breaches of data protection principles under plans announced this week by the Ministry of Justice.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 11th November 2009

Source: www.out-law.com

The Big Question: Why is Britain’s DNA database the biggest in the world, and is it effective? – The Independent

“Why are we asking this now?

The Home Office has announced a sweeping overhaul of the world’s largest DNA database, which now contains the genetic profiles of more than five million Britons. Civil liberties anger has focussed on the inclusion of samples taken from everyone arrested by police, regardless of whether they have ever been found guilty of an offence.”

Full story

The Independent, 12th November 2009

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Police may scrap scheme to keep tabs on activists – The Guardian

“The head of Britain’s police chiefs has said that a scheme to monitor political campaigners may be scrapped as part of plans to make national policing more accountable.”

Full story

The Guardian, 11th November 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Terror suspects’ DNA could be held for life – The Independent

“Terror suspects who are released without charge could face having their DNA profiles stored for life, it was revealed today.”

Full story

The Independent, 11th November 2009

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Burglary and theft account for a third of data security breaches, reports ICO – OUT-LAW.com

“The biggest security risks for organisations that process people’s personal details are burglary and theft, according to figures just published by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 11th November 2009

Source: www.out-law.com

Home Office to keep DNA of innocent for six years, not 12 – The Guardian

“Home Office ministers are expected to announce a six-year limit on the retention of DNA profiles on the national database for people arrested but not convicted of any offence, bringing it more in line with Scotland, where five years is the norm.”

Full story

The Guardian, 11th November 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Legislation to access public’s texts and emails put on hold – The Guardian

“Legislation for a £2bn Home Office surveillance project to track details of everybody’s email, mobile phone, text and internet use has been put on hold after a consultation raised concerns over its technical feasibility, costs and privacy safeguards.”

Full story

The Guardian, 9th November 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Government to consult on £500,000 penalties for serious breaches of data protection principles – Ministry of Justice

“The government has today launched a consultation seeking views on implementing a maximum penalty of half a million pounds for serious breaches of the data protection principles.”

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 9th November 2009

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

More than one in 10 people on DNA database for first time – Daily Telegraph

“Police forces in England and Wales have taken the profiles of 5.5 million people, meaning the proportion of the population on the system has passed a tenth for the first time.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 27th October 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Police forces challenged over files held on law-abiding protesters – The Guardian

“Chief constables will be forced to justify the legality of recording thousands of law-abiding protesters on secret nationwide databases, the government’s privacy watchdog announced today (26 October).”

Full story

The Guardian, 26th October 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Peaceful protesters included on police database of ‘domestic extremists’ – Daily Telegraph

“Peaceful protesters are being included on a national police database of activists including animal rights activists, far-right groups and other ‘domestic extremists’, according to reports.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 26th October 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Magistrates’ courts error warning – BBC News

“Criminals, including drug dealers and paedophiles, could be evading justice because of errors in magistrates’ courts records, a report has warned.”

Full story

BBC News, 23rd October 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Chief Constable of Humberside Police and others v Information Commissioner (Secretary of State for the Home Department intervening) – WLR Daily

Chief Constable of Humberside Police and others v Information Commissioner (Secretary of State for the Home Department intervening) [2009] EWCA Civ 1079; [2009] WLR (D) 302

“In relation to the national police computer it was for the data controller to determine the purposes for which data was processed. It was a registered purpose to hold information so that it could be supplied to others in legitimate need such as the courts and the Crown Prosecution Service. Consequently there could be no question of the retention of records of old minor convictions being held to be either excessive or being held for longer than necessary.”

WLR Daily, 19th October 2009

Source: www.lawreports.co.uk

Please note once a case has been reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.

Home Office climbs down over keeping DNA records on innocent – The Guardian

“Civil liberty campaigners claimed a victory today (19 October) after the government announced it is dropping current proposals to retain the DNA profiles of innocent people on the national database.”

Full story

The Guardian, 19th October 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Government outlines increased penalties for data misuse – OUT-LAW.com

“The Government has outlined its plans to jail people convicted of trading illegally in personal data or knowingly or recklessly disclosing it. Under the plans the jail terms would be introduced next April.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 19th October 2009

Source: www.out-law.com

Police win data deletion appeal – BBC News

“Five police forces which challenged a ruling that they should delete records on criminal convictions from their database have won their appeal.”

Full story

BBC News, 19th October 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Jail sentences likely for illegal trade in personal data – The Guardian

“Prison sentences of up to two years for illicitly obtaining confidential personal data, such as phone or medical records, are to be introduced from next April under Ministry of Justice proposals published today.”

Full story

The Guardian, 15th October 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Knowing or reckless misuse of personal data – introducing custodial sentences – Ministry of Justice

“A consultation on exercising the power to provide for custodial sanctions for those found guilty of knowingly or recklessly obtaining, disclosing, selling or procuring the disclosure of personal data without the consent of the data controller.”

Full consultation

Ministry of Justice, 15th October 2009

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Police urged to erase DNA record – BBC News

“A Worcester firefighter who was cleared of causing death by dangerous driving is campaigning to have his DNA sample taken off the National Police Database.”

Full story

BBC News, 13th October 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Doubts over DNA profile timing – BBC News

“Fresh doubts have emerged over proposals to limit how long the DNA profiles of innocent people can be held on the national database.”

Full story

BBC News, 25th September 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk