December 2011
Freedom of information good practice visit to the Department for Education
The ICO has conducted a good practice visit to the Department for Education with a focus on Freedom of Information practices, policies and procedures.
Read the executive summary of the visit (pdf)
December 2011
ICO submits business case to extend its assessment notice powers
Read the business case (pdf)
December 2011
Spam text survey – a selection of respondent’s comments
The ICO recently conducted a survey about spam texts alongside its investigation into texts about accident claims and other similar messages. Over 1,000 people responded to give details of the messages they were receiving.
Read about the results of the survey and view a selection of respondent’s comments
November 2011
The Information Commissioner’s view on the provisions of the Protection of Freedoms Bill As at Committee Stage
The Information Commissioner has submitted his view on the provisions of the Protection of Freedoms Bill to the House of Lords.
November 2011
The future of data protection in the EU
This briefing has been written to inform our stakeholders about the upcoming proposed changes to the EU data protection legal framework and the ICO’s views on some of the expected proposals. The European Commission has indicated that they intend to publish their proposal by the end of January 2012 and this update outlines what the ICO would like to see in any future legislation.
Read the briefing in full
September 2011
International Right to Know Day
Marking International Right to Know Day, the Information Commissioner, Christopher Graham offers a view on the state of information rights here in the UK: the right to know and the right to privacy.
Watch video and download a transcript of Christopher Graham's speech
September 2011
Changes to our website
We’ve been making more improvements to our website. We’ve now reorganised the ‘What we cover’ section, making it easier to navigate and making the information fewer clicks from the homepage. We hope you like the changes.
Read about the changes in more detail
August 2011
Guidance index replaces document library
Today we launched the guidance index which replaces the document library as a resource for organisations on the website.
Read about the changes in more detail
May 2011
New rules for privacy and electronic communications
On 26 May 2011, the amended Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations come into force. The biggest changes for members of the public relate to direct marketing by electronic means and the use of cookies on websites.
Read a summary of the new rules and what they mean for individuals
May 2011
ICO’s approach to enforcing new powers under the amended Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations
The ICO has been given new powers under the amended Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations.
Read about the ICO’s new powers and our approach to enforcing the regulations
May 2011
Changes to the ICO website in response to new rules on cookies
As part of the amended Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations, the rules around the use of cookies on websites are changing. The ICO will be responsible for overseeing and enforcing the new law, and because we have a website of our own, we appreciate that there is interest in our own plans in response to this change.
Read about the plans for the ICO website in response to the new rules on cookies
May 2011
Home Affairs Committee inquiry into unauthorised tapping into or hacking of mobile communications
Christopher Graham gave evidence to the Home Affairs Committee on Tuesday 26 April. A transcript of the session is available online. The Commissioner followed up his oral evidence with a letter to clarify a number of the points that were discussed.
View the transcript of the Information Commissioner’s evidence session
View Christopher Graham’s letter to the Home Affairs Committee
May 2011
Privacy Awareness Week 1–7 May 2011
Hosted by the Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities (APPA), This year's Privacy Awareness Week will be be celebrated by public and private sector organisations across the Asia Pacific region, with a broad range of a programs and initiatives designed to increase awareness of privacy issues.
Visit the Privacy Awareness Week website
March 2011
Changes to our website
We’ve been making more improvements to our website in response to user feedback. We’ve now reorganised the ‘About the ICO’ section, making it easier to navigate and making the most sought after information, such as minutes of meetings, more prominent. We hope you like the changes.
Read about the changes in more detail
March 2011
Data Protection Officer conference 2011
The ICO held their annual Data Protection Officer conference on Tuesday 8 March 2011 in Manchester. Lord McNally, Justice Minister gave the keynote speech.
March 2011
Information Commissioner’s evidence to the Public Bill Committee on the Protection of Freedoms Bill
The Information Commissioner welcomes many of the provisions contained in the Protection of Freedoms Bill. The clarity that these proposals bring will, in some respects provide greater transparency and protection for privacy. The Bill also makes welcome provision for increasing the independence of the Information Commissioner.
The Information Commissioner’s evidence