Consumer data backlash exposed

Fears of a growing backlash against firms gathering personal data have been heightened by an Information Commissioner’s Office survey showing 85% of UK consumers are concerned about how their personal details are passed on or sold to other organisations.
Speaking in response to the findings – which also show 77% of UK consumers are concerned about organisations not keeping their personal details secure – Commissioner Christopher Graham said companies must do more to inform consumers about the way their information is being shared.
“Providing people with enough information to understand how their details will be used is a basic principle of data protection. While the vast majority of companies are meeting the letter of the law, these figures show that most people remain concerned about how their information is being shared. This situation is not good for consumers, or for businesses.”
Graham also urged firms not to wait until the EU General Data Protection Regulation is passed, adding: “There are still basic things that organisations can be doing today, not only to comply with the current legislation, but also to prepare for the future regulatory landscape.
The survey also shows that 75% of respondents think it is important private firms acting on behalf of public authorities should be subject to the Freedom of Information Act, and 79% believe it is important that the regulator is independent of government.
Graham’s comments coincide with the publication of the ICO’s new corporate plan, which sets out the regulator’s priorities for the next three years. These include:

Preparing for a period of substantial change with the implementation of a new EU data protection framework and the outcome of the Ministry of Justice’s Triennial Review.
Developing and promoting an ICO privacy seal scheme to demonstrate a commitment to good data protection practices.
Engaging with transparency and Open Data initiatives to ensure a balanced information rights perspective.

Graham added: “Businesses should take the results of our survey as a prompt to address consumers’ concerns and provide clearer information to explain when people’s details will be shared and with whom. Getting these basics right today will not only improve consumer trust but also help a business along the road to future compliance.”