ICO sets up dedicated team to handle data complaints

by Daniel Farey-Jones, Brand Republic 27-Jun-05, 07:00

LONDON – The Information Commissioner's Office has promised to take action against businesses abusing their data protection obligations, after setting up a dedicated regulatory action division.

The division has been set up in reaction to the explosion in the number of businesses holding people's personal information and increasing disquiet about data abuse as the UK suffers from a blight of identity theft.

The ICO has restructured itself to group staff, who had previously handled complaints as part of a range of duties, into a specialist team devoted solely to using the commissioner's powers to bring about compliance with the law.

The regulatory action division is able to use powers including criminal prosecution, non-criminal enforcement and audit.

David Smith, assistant commissioner for regulatory action, said: "Negotiation will usually be our first option, but we won't hesitate to take legal action swiftly against businesses where the circumstances warrant it."

The ICO promised to issue guidance to business if it uncovers widespread problems with data protection as well as publish a regular bulletin summarising cases and outcomes.

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