Tag Archives: Christopher Graham

UK ICO Encourages Voluntary Data Protection Audits and Advisory Visits

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Hunton & Williams LLP

Throughout 2011, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (“ICO”) escalated its use of data protection audits, encouraging organizations to submit to voluntary audits and seeking to increase its ability to conduct compulsory audits. Currently, the ICO has the authority to compel central government departments to undergo audits, but it would like to extend compulsory audits to include local government, the national health service and the private sector.

Tags: Christopher Graham, Information Commissioners Office, United Kingdom

ICO Welcomes European Commission’s Proposed Data Protection Regulation Reforms

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Hunton & Williams LLP

On January 25, 2012, the European Commission released a data protection law reform package, including its proposed General Data Protection Regulation (the “Proposed Regulation”). The UK Information Commissioner’s Office (“ICO”) has reacted positively to the Proposed Regulation, in particular commending efforts to strengthen the rights of individuals, the recognition of important privacy concepts such as privacy by design and privacy impact assessments, and new accountability requirements to ensure organizations properly demonstrate and document their data protection safeguards and procedures.

Tags: Accountability, Christopher Graham, Data Processor, Data Protection Act, Data Transfer, EU Data Protection Directive, European Commission, Information Commissioners Office, Privacy By Design, United Kingdom

UK ICO Outlines the Year Ahead

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Hunton & Williams LLP

On December 28, 2011, UK Information Commissioner Christopher Graham outlined the ICO’s agenda for 2012 in a post on the ICO blog, highlighting the European Commission’s proposals for reviewing the EU data protection framework, the post-legislative scrutiny process with respect to the UK Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) and the ICO’s Information Rights Strategy. The Commissioner cautioned against allowing data protection compliance to fall by the wayside in the current, tough economic climate, especially given the inevitable reputational damage caused by big data breaches and the ICO’s power to impose fines.

Tags: Christopher Graham, EU Data Protection Directive, Freedom of Information Act, Information Commissioners Office, Ireland, United Kingdom

Mexico Hosts 33rd International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Hunton & Williams LLP

On November 2-3, 2011, Mexico’s Federal Institute for Access to Information and Data Protection (“IFAI”) will host the 33rd International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners in Mexico City. Marty Abrams, President of the Centre for Information Policy Leadership at Hunton & Williams LLP, is the chairman of the Conference’s advisory panel and principal advisor to Conference organizers on program content. Hunton & Williams is a proud sponsor of the event which will feature Hunton representatives as speakers or moderators on multiple panels and plenary sessions, including the following:

Tags: Article 29 Working Party, Australia, China, Christopher Graham, Christopher Kuner, Colombia, David Vladeck, Department of the Treasury, Federal Trade Commission, Finland, France, Germany, Google, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Lisa Sotto, Marty Abrams, Mexico, New Zealand, Paula Bruening, Poland, Richard Thomas, Spain, Switzerland, Uruguay

UK Parliament Calls for Prison Sentences for Data Theft

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Hunton & Williams LLP

Members of Parliament on the House of Commons Justice Select Committee have called for courts in the United Kingdom to be given greater powers to imprison and fine individuals who breach the Data Protection Act (“DPA”). The Committee stated in its October 18, 2011 report that the current penalties for unlawfully obtaining personal data (under Section 55 of the DPA) are an inadequate deterrent, and urged the government to exercise its power to introduce prison sentences without delay. Although currently a magistrates’ court can issue fines of up to £5,000 for breaches of Section 55 (and the Crown Court can impose unlimited fines), in practice, penalties often are limited to only a few hundred pounds.

Tags: Christopher Graham, Data Protection Act, Information Commissioners Office, Penalty, United Kingdom

UK ICO’s Annual Report Shows Private Sector Companies Reported Most Security Breaches in 2010/11

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Hunton & Williams LLP

On July 6, 2011, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (the “ICO”) released its Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2010/11. Characterizing information as “the currency of democracy,” the report highlights the wide range of the ICO’s activities during the last twelve months, which focused on education and the provision of good practice guidance in addition to enforcement activities.

Tags: Christopher Graham, Consumer Protection, Information Commissioners Office, United Kingdom

Over 73,000 GBP Recouped from Former T-Mobile Employees Following Data Theft

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Hunton & Williams LLP

Two former employees of mobile phone provider T-Mobile have been ordered by a court in the United Kingdom to pay £73,700 (approximately $120,000) for the theft of T-Mobile customers’ personal data. The Chester Crown Court ordered David Turley and Darren Hames to pay £45,000 and £28,700 respectively, under confiscation orders, along with prosecution costs.

Tags: Christopher Graham, Consumer Protection, Data Protection Act, Information Commissioners Office, United Kingdom

UK ICO Releases Code on Data Sharing

Posted on May 12, 2011 by Hunton & Williams LLP

On May 11, 2011, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (the “ICO”) published a new statutory code of practice on the sharing of personal data. As stated in the ICO’s press release, the code of practice covers best practices for both routine and one-off data sharing activities, and offers organizations tips for reducing the risk of inappropriate or insecure data sharing. By helping organizations understand how to share data appropriately, the code of practice should facilitate compliance with the Data Protection Act and minimize the risk of enforcement actions by the ICO or other regulators.

Tags: Christopher Graham, Data Protection Act, Information Commissioners Office, United Kingdom

Details of UK’s Approach to Implementation of EU Cookie Rule

Posted on March 16, 2011 by Hunton & Williams LLP

On March 16, 2011, UK Information Commissioner Christopher Graham shared details of the government’s proposals for the implementation of the e-Privacy Directive with delegates at the Direct Marketing Association’s Data Protection Conference in London. A letter from the Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries, Ed Vaizey, provides important reassurance to business that “Government is committed to introducing the amended provision in a way that minimises impacts to business and consumers.” Continue reading…

Tags: Christopher Graham, Consumer Protection, Cookies, E-Privacy Directive, Information Commissioners Office, United Kingdom

UK Information Commissioner Warns Businesses to “Wake Up” to the New EU Law on Cookies

Posted on March 11, 2011 by Hunton & Williams LLP

On March 8, 2011, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (the “ICO”) issued a warning to UK businesses on the forthcoming amendments to the Privacy and Electronic Communications Directive (2002/58/EC as amended by 2009/136/EC) that will require businesses operating websites in the UK to obtain consent from website visitors to store information on their computers and retrieve that information in the form of cookies. Continue reading…

Tags: Christopher Graham, Consumer Protection, Cookies, E-Privacy Directive, Information Commissioners Office, Legislation, United Kingdom

Privacy and Information Security Law Blog - Global privacy and information security law updates and analysis

Tag Archives: Christopher Graham

UK ICO Encourages Voluntary Data Protection Audits and Advisory Visits

ICO Welcomes European Commission’s Proposed Data Protection Regulation Reforms

UK ICO Outlines the Year Ahead

Mexico Hosts 33rd International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners

UK Parliament Calls for Prison Sentences for Data Theft

UK ICO’s Annual Report Shows Private Sector Companies Reported Most Security Breaches in 2010/11

Over 73,000 GBP Recouped from Former T-Mobile Employees Following Data Theft

UK ICO Releases Code on Data Sharing

Details of UK’s Approach to Implementation of EU Cookie Rule

UK Information Commissioner Warns Businesses to “Wake Up” to the New EU Law on Cookies

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