Disclosure of confidential information

Geoff Wild looks at the receipt of confidential information by members and the issues around its potential disclosure. Read more

  NEWS

Oct 03, 2024

Police force issued with £750k fine for “serious” data breach involving staff data

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has issued Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI) with a £750,000 monetary penalty for exposing the personal information of its workforce, after hidden data on a spreadsheet released as part of a FoI request revealed the surnames, initials, ranks and roles of all 9,483 PSNI officers and staff.

  FEATURES AND ANALYSIS

August 22, 2024

The public sector and compliance with GDPR

The Information Commissioner’s Office has announced a review of its enforcement approach when it comes to the public sector’s compliance with GDPR. Ibrahim Hasan sets out the background to the announcement.
August 09, 2024

Facial recognition in schools

The Information Commissioner’s Office recently reprimanded a school for using facial recognition technology without carrying out a data protection impact assessment. Ibrahim Hasan looks at the ICO’s decision.
July 30, 2024

Disclosure of information and immunity from suit

A High Court judge recently allowed an appeal against the striking out of a claim against a police force and the CPS which had claimed immunity from suit. Jon Baines explains why.

  MORE NEWS

Aug 22, 2024

Tribunal tells council to disclose document prepared for peer review process

The London Borough of Havering must disclose parts of a race equality, accessibility, diversity and inclusion review conducted for it by the Local Government Association (LGA), the First-tier Tribunal (General Regulatory Chamber) Information Rights has ruled, overturning an earlier decision by the Information Commissioner.
Jun 03, 2024

First Tier Tribunal scrutinises use of AI by DWP

The First Tier Tribunal has heard a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) appeal against the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)’s refusal to disclose information about its use of AI to detect fraud and error in the benefits system.
Apr 15, 2024

Council loses appeal over FOI request for names of those who submitted consultation responses as part of their public-facing roles

Cambridgeshire County Council must release the names of individuals in a public-facing role, including councillors and officials, who submitted consultation responses on behalf of stakeholder groups, despite a promise in the consultation document that said the local authority would not publish any personal details unless specifically indicated, the First Tier Tribunal has ruled.

  MORE FEATURES

May 28, 2024

Police force data breach

The Information Commissioner’s Office recently announced that it intends to fine the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) £750,000 for a personal data breach. Ibrahim Hasan examines the decision.
April 12, 2024

Schools and FOI

Hannah Moran looks at how schools and colleges should deal with freedom of information requests.
February 27, 2024

AI Regulation and the EU AI Act

2024 is going to be the year of AI regulation. As the impact of AI increases in our daily lives, governments and regulatory bodies globally are grappling with the need to establish clear guidelines and standards for its responsible use. Ibrahim Hasan looks at the latest developments.
February 23, 2024

Body worn camera footage

Ibrahim Hasan looks at the issues raised police misuse of body worn camera footage.
January 19, 2024

Delo: clarity on ICO complaints

In October last year, the Court of Appeal handed down a ruling providing some helpful clarity on the Information Commissioner’s responsibilities vis-á-vis the handling of complaints lodged by data subjects, writes Lucy Jones.
January 10, 2024

ICO guidance on monitoring workers: what do employers need to know?

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has published new guidance for employers on monitoring workers. This includes some useful commentary on lawful monitoring in the context of recent developments to working practices, including the rise in homeworking and the increased use of more advanced monitoring technology in the workplace, write Rachel Barnet and Hannah Pettit.
November 27, 2023

FOIA and aggregation of exemptions

“Exemption means Exemption” doesn’t cut it for the Court of Appeal: aggregation of exemptions is permitted under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Ben Mitchell analyses a significant ruling.
October 13, 2023

FOI backlogs at the forefront

FOI enforcement is a priority for the Information Commissioners Office. Ben Pumphrey and Alastair Turnbull examine the core duties of public bodies and the exemptions that exist.
September 11, 2023

Personal data in FOI requests: cautionary tales

In recent news there have been reports of personal data breaches that have resulted from the release of information in response to a freedom of information request. Charlotte Smith looks at the issues involved.
August 22, 2023

Keeping schools compliant with data protection law

The Information Commissioner’s Office has issued new guidance after reprimanding a school. Is your school in compliance with data protection law? Vicki Bowles looks at the key issues.
August 11, 2023

Beware misusing personal data

A claimant recently won a High Court damages claim against a London borough for misuse of personal data, with the council ordered to pay £6,000 in damages. Ibrahim Hasan explains why.
July 07, 2023

Operating CCTV lawfully

A county court judge has ruled that Islington Council’s operated its CCTV system lawfully. Sam Fowles explains why.
June 09, 2023

International data transfers

An international transfers breach has resulted in a record GDPR fine for Meta. Ibrahim Hasan explains why.
June 05, 2023

CCTV and the provision of care

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has given its view on the use of CCTV by those receiving care and support and their families. Lorna Kenyon-Pain examines its conclusions.