Legal Updates - Data Protection & ICO Fine

Data Protection - ICO Fine - London Council - Data Protection Act 1998 - Breach

The Information Commissioner’s Office (“ICO”) issued a monetary penalty of £70,000 to Islington Council for accidentally releasing 2,375 residents’ personal details online in response to a freedom of information request. The details also included sensitive personal information in relation to the residents’ housing needs, which in some cases, would have included information about whether they had histories of mental illness among other things.

Despite being alerted to the mistake, the ICO’s investigation found that the council failed to correct it. The ICO Head of Enforcement, Stephen Eckersley stated:

“This mistake not only placed sensitive personal information relating to residents at risk, but also the highlighted the lack of training and expertise within the council. Councils are trusted with sensitive personal information, and residents are right to expect it to be handled in a proper way. Unfortunately, in this case that did not happen, and Islington Council must now explain to residents how it will stop these mistakes being repeated.”

Further details on this can be found at the ICO’s website.

How can we help?

Whether you are a start up or an established business, RT Coopers can assist you in meeting your obligations under the Data Protection Act. We conduct due diligence on businesses’ operations in order to determine specific weaknesses to be considered by data controllers. Once these are identified, we would advise you on the remedial measures you should put in place.

You may contact us by email [email protected]. Visit http://www.rtcoopers.com/practice_dataprotection.php

© RT COOPERS, 2013. This Briefing Note does not provide a comprehensive or complete statement of the law relating to the issues discussed nor does it constitute legal advice. It is intended only to highlight general issues. Specialist legal advice should always be sought in relation to particular circumstances.