The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has recently published its annual report for 2010/2011, which includes information and statistics on the ICO’s case work under, among other things, the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA), the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA) and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (Regulations). It seems to show that members of the public are becoming more aware of their rights to access information.
The 86 page report shows an increase by 17% compared to 2009/10 in the number of freedom of information cases opened which contrasted with a 21% decrease in the number of new data protection cases in the same period. The report also highlights the consensual audit service the ICO offers to both public and private sector organisations, which aims to improve understanding and awareness of the need to protect personal data.
The ICO contacted over 100 organisations with a view to offering its audit service, but only 19% of private sector companies approached agreed to an audit, compared to 71% of public sector organisations. Encouraging businesses to engage with the audit process will be a continued focus for the ICO in the year ahead.
Here is a link to the ICO annual report web site – http://www.ico.gov.uk/about_us/performance/~/media/documents/library/Corporate/Research_and_reports/annual_report_2011.ashx
Philip Henson, Head of Employment Law, Bargate Murray. www.bargatemurray.com
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