An ICO spokesperson said:
“The ICO does not share the views in the Open Rights Group report. The ICO’s priority during the pandemic was to ensure organisations understood how data protection law could facilitate action at a time of emergency. The ICO achieved this by mobilising a dedicated task force and publishing prompt advice for organisations who were faced with using data in new ways.
"The ICO’s focus is always on how it can protect people's rights and support organisations. All of the ICO’s work, from advice offered to fines issued, has this as its goal."