Tag Archives: data protection
ICO fines Midlothian Council £140,000 – ICO’s highest ever fine for data breaches
The Information Commissioner’s Office (the “ICO”) has fined Midlothian Council £140,000 for five separate security breaches, which involved accidental disclosure of confidential and sensitive personal data about children and carers to the wrong recipients. The breaches, which took place between … read more
Damages for unauthorised access to medical records
A judge has awarded £12,500 to a man whose pre-existing personality disorder was exacerbated after his partner accessed his medical records and challenged him about his mental illness. The woman obtained unauthorised access while employed as a nurse by Plymouth … read more
Automatic numberplate recognition: is it legal?
A report in the Guardian last week reminds readers of the strong likelihood that local police forces have tracked their movements with the use of automatic numberplate recognition (ANPR). According to the article, around 14.5 million numberplate reads (yes, 14.5 … read more
The EU Council’s Conclusions On Revising EU Data Protection Law — Why Did They Bother?
The super tanker that is the European Union legislative process is currently trying to turn itself round with a view to revising data protection law. The current Data Protection Directive (95/46/EC) dates back to 1995. It was, of course, prepared … read more
UK referred to ECJ over internet privacy
On 30 September 2010 the European Commission announced that it referred the UK to the European Court of Justice for its alleged failure to implement EU laws on the confidentiality of electronic communications such as emails or internet browsing. The … read more
Google escapes fine over Street View breach
Google’s Street View service has escaped a financial penalty despite being found to breach the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA). Google Street View allows users to explore and navigate neighbourhoods through panoramic street level photographs. In touring the UK’s roads … read more
First monetary penalty notices issued by ICO
On 24 November the Information Commissioner’s Office (“ICO”) issued its first monetary penalty notices, marking the first use of this power since it became available to the ICO in April. The first monetary penalty, of £100,000, was issued to Hertfordshire … read more
School photographs, data protection and common sense
In the run up to Christmas the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has issued a press release confirming that the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA) does not prevent family and friends from taking photographs at school concerts or plays. While this … read more
