Category: Local Government
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Rushmoor Borough Council did not provide cremation notices
The ICO has reported that a council did not provide cremation notices when required. The complainant requested information a copy of a cremation form. By the date that the ICO issued its first ruling, Rushmoor Borough Council (“the Council”) had not issued a substantive response to this request. The Commissioner’s decision is that the Council…
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London Borough of Lambeth held to be accountable
The London Borough of Lambeth has been held to be accountable and issued with a censure following a second failure to provide information under the FOI Act. The complainant has requested information on the procurement of a developer for a housing estate redevelopment. The London Borough of Lambeth (‘the Council’) disclosed some information but withheld…
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Henlow Parish Council wins case against Oldham Metropolitan Borough
Henlow Parish Council requested information from Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council (“the Council”) about the disposal of a school site. The Council provided information falling within the scope of the request. The Information Commissioner decided that the request fell to be considered under the EIR. They determined that the Council failed to comply with regulation 5(2)…
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UK council data breaches see information on vulnerable children leaked
Two local authorities have leaked data of children online in recent days. Training is the only way to combat such breaches. Two local councils are under fire after personal information of dozens of children was leaked online. The data breaches could leave the councils facing sanctions, and public sector tech leaders should ensure rigorous training…
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Data Reform Bill: Why is the UK moving away from GDPR?
The UK government has made clear its intention to move away from GDPR since leaving the EU, and hopes to establish a more agile regime. Proponents of the change, including chancellor Rishi Sunak, believe the UK can set its own data laws without endangering its data adequacy agreement with the EU, which allows data to…
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Changes sought to Cookie Law
Data protection authorities across the G7 are to be urged to tackle nuisance cookie consent pop-ups, which critics say are not fit for purpose. Proposals on improving the ways that web users consent to cookies will be discussed in a series of virtual meetings to be held on Tuesday and Wednesday. The government has cited…
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That’s the way the cookie crumbles
Internet cookie requests could be on their way out under plans to overhaul UK data laws The pop-up banners asking users permission to access certain data have become a familiar part of landing on a new website – but they could become far fewer. The routine of clicking through numerous cookie requests on websites could…
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What are the GDPR Password Requirements?
The new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which comes into force in May 2018 does not outlaw the use of a simple username and static password system for accessing personal data, but GDPR does state that data access procedures need to be secure. More specifically, the law states in Article 32(1) “the controller and the…
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Scottish council apologises for data breach
Scottish Borders Council has apologised ‘unreservedly’ for a data breach affecting 600 customers. The council had been contacting residents that were eligible for a payment, but three emails were sent to multiple individuals where all recipient email addresses were visible. A Scottish Borders Council spokesperson said: ‘We would like to apologise unreservedly to all our…
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Mitigating information security risks during lockdown
Many staff have had to adapt to new ways of working in response to the current Covid-19 situation, which has seen increased home working as staff adjust to new ways of working or take on new roles. Working practices have had to change in response, changes which bring about new opportunities but also risks. Local…