Digesting the proposed Data Protection Regulations - Part 1: Data export

The size and complexity of the proposed data protection regulations makes them hard to digest.

This is the first in a series of alerts examining the EU Commission's proposed data protection regulations.

Beware of falling foul of data protection legislation - Kirsten Whitfield provides a helpful overview.

A guide to new fines for cold callers and saying no to cookies

In April, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport published the response to its consultation on implementation of the revised EU Electronic Communications Framework. This was followed on 9 May 2011, by guidance from the Information Commissioner's Office on changes to the rules on using cookies.

Information Commissioner issues first Data Protection Act fines

Data protection hit the headlines again this morning with news that two bodies have been issued with substantial fines by the Information Commissioner, Christopher Graham, after breaching the Data Protection Act (DPA).

Veolia wins partial victory in bid to withhold commercially sensitive information requested under the Audit Commission Act

Veolia has part succeeded in the Court of Appeal in withholding certain commercially sensitive information contained in its PFI waste contract with Nottinghamshire County Council. This had been requested by Mr Dowen under the Audit Commission Act 1998.

New data protection guidelines in France on outsourcing and security

The French data protection authority (the CNIL) has published guidelines on outsourcing and personal data security.

Government procurements and contracts - new transparency requirements

On 29 May 2010 the Prime Minister wrote to the Secretary of State listing data and documents which will be made publically available by government. It raised a number of fundamental questions.

Data protection in Europe

This alert deals with hot topics in European data protection – transferring data and the results of the CNIL's (the French Data Protection Regulator) 2010 annual report.

Personal Information Online: new Code of Practice published by the ICO

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) released a new Code of Practice on 8 July 2010 entitled "Personal Information Online".

Online vetting - reputations on the line?

In a Microsoft-commissioned survey, 47% of UK recruiters and HR professionals stated that they look for online reputational data to vet candidates. And, 41% had rejected candidates based on information found online.

Digital Economy Bill: controversial online copyright infringement provisions

A new Digital Economy Bill is being debated in the UK. It contains provisions designed to tackle online copyright infringement which are proving to be very controversial.

EU Commission steps up UK legal action over privacy and personal data protection

On 29 October, the EC moved to the second phase of infringement proceedings against the UK for failing to implement as national law the full protection of EU rules on privacy and personal data protection in relation to use of electronic communications.

New powers of Information Commissioner push data protection up the risk register

Until now the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) could only envy other regulators with powers to impose fines and conduct audits. This is changing and the ICO will soon be empowered to conduct audits and issue fines.

OGC Two Point Three

The Office of Government Commerce launched the new OGC Model ICT Services Agreement Version 2.3 on 6 August, replacing last year's Version 2.2.1.

Help is at hand: New BSI standard for data protection

Following a three-month consultation with the industry, government, academia and consumers, but not the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), on Tuesday 2 June BSI launched the first British Standard relating to personal data management.

ICO guidance on monitoring and enforcing compliance with model publication scheme

The Information Commissioner's Office has issued a notice setting out how it will monitor and enforce the adoption by public authorities of the new model publication scheme to comply with their obligations under the Freedom of Information Act.

Access to information

The Information Commissioner has issued technical guidance clarifying how Schedule 12A and section 100 of the Local Government Act 1972 (LGA) operate alongside the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA) and the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).

Data handling guidelines for local government

Data security breaches can strike any type of organisation at any time. Many local authorities are now giving this area of compliance more scrutiny than in the past.

Personal data security breach checklist

Is all publicity good publicity? Organisations that have come under the media spotlight for losing personal data might not agree.

Data Protection reforms abound

Following the release of the Data Sharing Review, the UK's Information Commissioner Richard Thomas has continued to criticise the European Data Protection Directive (95/46/EC). He has referred to it as out of date, bureaucratic and in dire need of reform.

Shake-up for the data protection regime...

The Data Sharing Review, published on 11 July, potentially marks the start of a comprehensive review of data protection law and practice in the UK. If the authors have their way, it could also spark off a review of EU law.

New Guidance on Data Protection Issues & TUPE Transfers

The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) has finally published new guidance on data protection issues & TUPE transfers. Wragge & Co's legal experts tell you what you need to know.

RFID - tracking privacy through the process

The retail applications for Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) – ranging from general inventory management and improving customer service to the development of item level remote tracking - has the potential to revolutionise the shopping experience.

Getting to know you...

Pre-employment verification checks are on the increase. Action Against Business Crime (AABC) has launched a new service for retailers to help them carry out these checks.

Freedom of information

It has been a challenging year in the world of freedom of information, with failed attempts to exempt MPs from its ambit and revise the fees regulations. The Act is here to stay and it looks like it is about to dig even deeper.

Extension of Freedom of Information Act to private sector?