The ICO’s work makes the news because people care about their privacy. We help make sure people’s personal data is protected, whether they’re ordering a pint through an app in a pub or when their health data is being shared through GP surgeries. In the last few months we’ve spoken out about predatory marketing calls, flagged the importance of privacy in vaccination passport schemes and introduced a world-leading code to protect children’s privacy online.
Our media team works at pace to handle the demands of a busy national press office. That means responding swiftly to media enquiries, spotting the risks and maximising the opportunities.
We advise senior staff on the issues of the day, write and deliver media briefings at pace and arrange interviews with national broadcasters, publications and websites.
We find the stories in complex subject matters so we can create engaging content to explain how our work protects the public. Then we use our network of key national and specialist journalists to tell those stories with clarity and impact to audiences across the UK and beyond.
Our freedom of information work is part of this picture too, as we show how the ICO’s oversight of the law helps people understand and trust the decisions made in their name.
Our work
Introducing Information Commissioner John Edwards
We secured targeted media coverage to set out John’s priorities as he took up the post of UK Information Commissioner in January. His first interview with the FT was backed up with an appearance on Radio 4’s Today programme. We followed up with an in-depth feature piece in Big Issue North, which included John discussing the value of freedom of information.
Enforcing the law
Our fines make headlines. Multi-million pound fines for high profile brands create ample coverage for our important work to protect people’s personal data. But we come into our own when we explain how a simple data breach can have real life consequences.
Clamping down on predatory nuisance calls
We used real-life cases to help us highlight the damaging impact of nuisance call companies that target vulnerable elderly people. We successfully pitched to Radio 4’s You and Yours and national mainstream press including the Daily Mail, The Sun and Mirror. We also secured local print coverage and partnered with Which? and Age UK to help further promote our messaging.