The UK’s independent authority set up to uphold information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals.

News, blogs and speeches

504 in total

ICO response to Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology’s (POST) on AI in healthcare

26 January 2021, Statement

An ICO spokesperson said: “The ICO contributed to the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology’s (POST) recently published research briefing (known as a POSTnote) on AI and Healthcare, on the aspects concerning privacy, data-sharing, trust and accountability in relation to personal data protection.

Elizabeth Denham's term as Information Commissioner extended

25 January 2021, Statement

An ICO spokesperson said: “Following a request from the Secretary of State for DCMS, Elizabeth Denham has agreed to extend her term as Information Commissioner to 31 October 2021, while the recruitment process for her successor is completed.

Information Commissioner looks ahead to 2021

25 January 2021, Blog

While January is always a month for looking ahead, it feels like no discussions of plans for 2021, professionally or personally, are possible without the mention of lockdown, vaccinations or talk of when ‘all this is finished’.  

Maintaining data flows for a digital world

22 January 2021, Blog

Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham looks at the data protection aspects of the recently agreed UK-EU trade agreement.

Adtech investigation resumes

22 January 2021, Statement

Statement from Simon McDougall, ICO Deputy Commissioner, on the ICO's investigation into the adtech industry.

ICO supports innovative data sharing projects to protect vulnerable people

21 January 2021, News

The ICO Sandbox has selected three innovative data sharing services aimed at helping those who are vulnerable to online gambling harms, supporting ex-service men and women get the care they need, and a platform to help fight against cyber-criminals.

ICO and National Privacy Commission, Philippines, sign Memorandum of Understanding

13 January 2021, Statement

UK Information Commissioner, Elizabeth Denham, and her counterpart in the Philippines, Commissioner and Chairman Raymund Enriquez Liboro (NPC), have today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Motor industry employee sentenced in ICO Computer Misuse Act prosecution

08 January 2021, News

A motor industry employee has been sentenced to eight months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, in a prosecution brought by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

ICO statement in response to UK Government’s announcement on the extended period for personal data flows, that will allow time to complete the adequacy process

28 December 2020, Statement

The Government has announced that the Treaty agreed with the EU will allow personal data to flow freely from the EU (and EEA) to the UK, until adequacy decisions have been adopted, for no more…

Update to the joint statement on global privacy expectations of video teleconferencing companies

23 December 2020, Statement

On 21 July 2020 the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and five other data protection and privacy regulators from around the world jointly signed an open letter to companies providing video teleconferencing services.

UK organisations using SolarWinds Orion platform should check whether personal data has been affected

23 December 2020, Statement

SolarWinds was the victim of a cyber-attack where a vulnerability was inserted into its Orion platform. Organisations using the compromised Orion platform could potentially have allowed an attacker to move into other parts of its IT Network and systems and breach personal data.  

ICO calls on UK businesses to prepare to keep data flowing at the end of the transition period

21 December 2020, News

The Information Commissioner (ICO) is calling on the UK’s businesses to check whether they are impacted by data protection law before the end of the UK’s transition period with the EU on 31 December.

Six things to consider when using algorithms for employment decisions

18 December 2020, Blog

We have highlighted six key points organisations must consider before implementing algorithms for hiring purposes.

ICO yn cyhoeddi Cod Ymarfer newydd ynghylch Rhannu Data

17 December 2020, News

Heddiw, mae Swyddfa'r Comisiynydd Gwybodaeth (ICO) wedi cyhoeddi ei Data Sharing Code of Practice.

ICO publishes new Data Sharing Code of Practice

17 December 2020, News

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has today published its Data Sharing Code of Practice

ICO to recover £250,000 fine from Manchester claims management firm

16 December 2020, News

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) Financial Recovery Unit (FRU) is starting proceedings to retrieve £250,000 from defunct company Pownall Marketing Limited (PML). The company was recently …

Supporting NHS COVID-19 vaccine research in the pandemic

15 December 2020, Blog

The ICO has been working with NHS Digital during the pandemic as part of the sandbox to help them deliver a mechanism to sign volunteers up to COVID-19 vaccine research. 

ICO and Global Cyber Alliance sign Memorandum of Understanding

11 December 2020, Statement

Steve Eckersley, Director of Investigations, ICO, said: “The Information Commissioner’s Office is the UK independent regulator responsible for upholding information rights and people’s privacy.…

ICO warns public to be vigilant against pensions cold callers

09 December 2020, News

London company Pension House Exchange (PHE) has been fined £45,000 for making more than 39,000 nuisance calls to people about their pensions. Last year, the law changed to limit who can call…

ICO launches tool to help police forces using data analytics

09 December 2020, News

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is urging police forces to build in data protection from the start when considering data analytics projects.

Competition and Markets Authority advises government on new regulatory regime for tech giants

08 December 2020, Statement

Information Commissioner, Elizabeth Denham said: “We welcome the publication of the Digital Markets Taskforce Advice and we have been pleased to support the work of the Taskforce.

ICO fines Lincolnshire mortgage broker £50,000 for sending thousands of nuisance texts

04 December 2020, News

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has fined OSL Financial Consultancy Limited (OSL) £50,000 for illegally sending 174,342 nuisance marketing texts.

Marketing boss banned after thousands of nuisance calls

26 November 2020, News

Marketing company director who made over 75,500 unsolicited marketing calls banned for six years.

Updated ICO statement on recommendations published by the European Data Protection Board following the Schrems II case

13 November 2020, Statement

Updated ICO statement on recommendations published by the European Data Protection Board following the Schrems II case

ICO fines Ticketmaster UK Limited £1.25million for failing to protect customers’ payment details

13 November 2020, News

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has fined Ticketmaster UK Limited £1.25million for failing to keep its customers’ personal data secure.