In the News

‘It is reassuring to learn that Richard Thomas, the Information Commissioner, is fighting on the side of the angels against the ‘surveillance society’
Sunday Times, Sunday 29 October 2006

Mr Thomas is to be commended for ringing the alarm bells. While conceding that much official snooping is well-intentioned and can bring benefits, he warns that unseen, uncontrolled or excessive surveillance can foster a climate of suspicion and undermine trust.
Daily Telegraph, Thursday 2 November 2006

Only last month, high street banks were criticised by data protection watchdog, the Information Commissioner, for dumping documents containing customers’ personal details in rubbish bags left on the street.
Mail on Sunday, Sunday 5 November 2006

The privacy watchdog has rapped five companies for making unwanted cold calls to householders. The ICO described the practice as ‘unacceptable’.
PA Newswire, Wednesday 6 December 2006

Businesses and government organisations were warned by the Information Commissioner yesterday that they will be pursued if they use private detective agencies to acquire financial and other personal information about individuals illegally.
Financial Times, Thursday 14 December 2006

Those of us concerned about the rise in data collection by the state can hardly be dismissive of the Information Commissioner’s determination to root out the illegal gathering and sale of personal information.
The Independent on Sunday, Sunday 17 December 2006

The importance of responding to information requests made under the Data Protection Act was highlighted last month after Liverpool City Council became the first organisation to be prosecuted for failing to comply with an information notice from the Information Commissioner’s Office.
IT Week, Monday 8 January 2007

Public authorities were today warned that they face prosecution if they wrongly deny people access to personal information held about them… the Information Commissioner’s Office has said it would back any individual who is struggling to obtain data from either public or private sector organisations.
PA News Wire, Tuesday 9 January 2007

Information cannot be withheld from the public just because it might be misunderstood or risk damage to a business, the information commissioner has ruled
Local Government Chronicle, Thursday 25 January 2007

MPs had claimed [to release] the information would be a breach of their privacy but were ordered to open their books by Information Commissioner Richard Thomas
Daily Mail, Wednesday 14 February 2007

The Information Commissioner has concluded that Centro, the West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive, was entitled to refuse a freedom of information request on the grounds that it was ‘vexatious’.
Coach & Bus Week, 28 February 2007