Surveillance of MPs’ data challenged – BBC News
‘Three politicians will challenge the lawfulness of the intelligence services’ bulk interception of electronic data at a hearing later.’
BBC News, 23rd July 2015
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Category: data protection
Former employee found guilty over Morrisons data theft – Crown Prosecution Service
‘Andrew Skelton, a former employee of Morrisons supermarket has today (17 July) been found guilty of fraud, securing unauthorised access to computer material and disclosing personal data. He has been sentenced to eight years at Bradford Crown Court, in relation to stealing personal data belonging to nearly 100,000 Morrisons employees.’
Crown Prosecution Service, 17th July 2015
Source: www.cps.gov.uk
High court to rule on MPs’ claim that data retention act damages privacy – The Guardian
‘High court judges will give their decision on Friday on an accusation that the government has imposed laws which allow the police and security services to “spy on citizens” without proper safeguards.’
The Guardian, 17th July 2015
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Michael McIntyre spy-cam tweet investigated for data protection breach – The Guardian
‘A picture tweeted by a police helicopter team showing comedian Michael McIntyre standing in a London street is being investigated by the Information Commissioner’s Office for a possible breach of data protection laws.’
The Guardian, 15th July 2015
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Criminal record checks: guidance for employers – Home Office
‘How employers or organisations can request DBS checks for potential employees.’
Home Office, 14th July 2015
Source: www.gov.uk/home-office
Suspended chief constable found guilty of eight misconduct charges – The Guardian
‘A chief constable suspended for a more than a year after being accused of “inappropriate advances” to women has been found guilty of eight charges of misconduct but is to be allowed to return to work.’
The Guardian, 9th July 2015
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Do Young Thugs have Human Rights? The Supreme Court has a Riot – Panopticon
‘Following a period of considered reflection, or laziness depending on one’s view, it is worth noting the decision of the Supreme Court in In the matter of an application by JR38 for Judicial Review [2015] UKSC 42. The case is all about Article 8 ECHR, and is of particular interest because of the dispute about the breadth of the correct test for the engagement of Article 8. The context is also one which will be familiar to English data protection and privacy lawyers: the publication by the police of photographs seeking to identify a suspect. If anyone remembers that famous picture of a youth in a hoodie pointing his fingers like a gun behind an awkward looking David Cameron, JR38 is basically that, but with Molotov cocktails and a sprinkling of sectarian hatred.’
Panopticon, 9th July 2015
Source: www.panopticonblog.com
Privacy watchdog to investigate whether charities trading cold-calling ‘generous lists’ – Daily Telegraph
‘Charities sharing personal data without proper consent could be breaking the law, warns Information Commissioner.’
Daily Telegraph, 7th July 2015
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Data protection regulator launches staunch defence of Freedom of Information Act – The Independent
‘The regulator in charge of data protection and consumer protection has given a staunch defence of Britain’s embattled transparency laws, only days after Justice Secretary Michael Gove confirmed he was considering a crackdown on freedom of information laws.’
Full story
The Independent, 2nd July 2015
Source: www.independent.co.uk
New UK rules finalised on the re-use of public sector information – OUT-LAW.com
‘Public bodies in the UK must make it easier for businesses to re-use the information they hold from the middle of next month, under new regulations that have been passed by parliament.’
Full story
OUT-LAW.com, 30th June 2015
Source: www.out-law.com
New code of conduct on data protection for cloud service providers being scrutinised by EU privacy watchdogs – OUT-LAW.com
‘EU privacy watchdogs are assessing a proposed new code of conduct on data protection for cloud service providers that the European Commission hopes will help to boost the uptake of cloud services by EU businesses.’
Full story
OUT-LAW.com, 30th June 2015
Source: www.out-law.com
GCHQ spied on two human rights bodies – Daily Telegraph
‘GCHQ spied on two human rights organisations, it has emerged, and breached its own internal policies in how it handled the information.’
Daily Telegraph, 22nd June 2015
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Britain Can Lead the World In Online Privacy – UK Human Rights Blog
‘British legal history has long inspired the common law world. The Magna Carta, an 800-year-old agreement between a King and his barons, remains an icon of liberty, seen around the world as the foundation stone of the rule of law. In contrast, British law on online surveillance and privacy has been arcane and obscure – a field that is for reluctant experts if it is for anyone at all.’
UK Human Rights Blog, 13th June 2015
Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com
Legal challenge against Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Act reaches High Court – OUT-LAW.com
‘A legal challenge fronted by two UK MPs against communications surveillance laws passed last year has reached the High Court.’
OUT-LAW.com, 4th June 2015
Source: www.out-law.com
Cost of data breach incidents to business soars, finds UK government study – OUT-LAW.com
‘The worst data breach incidents are costing UK businesses between £1.5 million and £3m on average through business disruption, lost sales and assets and damage to reputation, new research by the UK government and consultancy PwC has found.’
OUT-LAW.com, 3rd June 2015
Source: www.out-law.com
Regina (AB) v Chief Constable of Hampshire Constabulary – WLR Daily
Regina (AB) v Chief Constable of Hampshire Constabulary [2015] EWHC 1238 (Admin); [2015] WLR (D) 225
‘While the disclosure by police of non-conviction material to a third party involved an interference with a person’s right to respect for his private and family life, within the meaning of article 8 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the common law empowered the police to disclose relevant information to relevant parties, where it was necessary for police purposes such as the public protection. Moreover, the Data Protection Act 1998 and the relevant statutory and administrative codes, provided a sufficiently clear, accessible and consistent set of rules, so as to prevent arbitrary or abusive interference with an individual’s article 8 rights; such that the disclosure would be in accordance with law.’
WLR Daily, 20th May 2015
Source: www.iclr.co.uk
Disclosing child protection information: make sure you ask the right questions first – Panopticon
‘High-profile revelations in recent years illustrate the importance of public authorities sharing information on individuals who are of concern in relation to child protection matters. When inaccurate information is shared, however, the consequences for the individual can be calamitous.’
Panopticon, 1st June 2015
Source: www.panopticonblog.com
The government’s data law – an attack on encryption? – BBC News
‘Overdue modernisation of the way the authorities monitor criminals and terrorists – or a Snooper’s Charter eroding our basic liberties? The proposal outlined in the Queen’s Speech to “modernise the law on communications data” will divide opinion. But prepare for another long battle over the way that law is framed and the balance it strikes between privacy and public safety.’
BBC News, 27th May 2015
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Queen’s Speech: New online data terror powers proposed – BBC News
‘Planned new laws to give police and spies stronger powers to “target the online communications” of terrorist suspects are in the Queen’s Speech.’
BBC News, 27th May 2015
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Police force fined £160k after losing DVDs of interview with abuse victim – Local Government Lawyer
‘The Information Commissioner’s Office has imposed a £160,000 monetary penalty on a police force after it lost DVDs of an interview which formed part of the evidence in a sexual abuse case.’
Local Government Lawyer, 18th May 2015
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
