Tag: Blog

Blog: Why protecting children online in UK living rooms starts 5,000 miles away

A blog by John Edwards, UK Information Commissioner 11 April 2022 “Share your data if you’re looking for a wee stalker”. That was the response by a child from Edinburgh when asked about sharing too much personal information online. Others saw content that promotes self-harm and suicidal thoughts without searching for it. Another was sent inappropriate adverts when they are playing online games. This is the backdrop to the introduction of our Children’s Code, a crucial piece of work to make sure that children can safely use online services. The…

Blog: Director’s Update – why Covid-19 has shown the FOI Act has never been more important to UK society

The past two years have highlighted how transparency and accountability are fundamental to our democracy – the impact of decisions made by public bodies throughout the pandemic have affected us all in some way. At the start of the pandemic the ICO made clear, along with our colleagues internationally, that transparency about decision making and good record keeping during this period would be essential and a vital means of maintaining public trust. This remains the case. We also set out how we would take account of the significant pressures some…

LIVE BLOG: The House Talks Stablecoins

12:09 p.m. (HB) Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) pointed out that while stablecoins represent just 5% of the digital asset industry’s total value, they account for more than 75% of crypto trading, which is why they can’t be ignored. He also criticized the President’s Working Group report, noting that while it doesn’t even provide a definition of stablecoins, it didn’t hesitate to assert that their risks are broad and cross numerous jurisdictional lines. A bank-like regulatory framework, said Emmer, would be improper for stablecoins and inadvertently engulf potential future financial products…

Barstool Sports Blog Founder Dave Portnoy Spends a ‘Cool Million’ on 29 Bitcoin – Bitcoin News

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The founder of Barstool Sports blog, Dave Portnoy, announced he purchased 29 bitcoin on January 28, spending more than a million dollars. The day trader has had his ups and downs with bitcoin over the last few years, and it seems he’s now jumping back into the market. Day Trader Dave Portnoy Bought 29 Bitcoin on the Fly After His Ups and Downs With the Leading Crypto In August 2020, the stock trader and the founder of Barstool Sports blog, Dave Portnoy, told his Twitter followers that he currently owned…

Blog: Data Protection law does not prevent information sharing to save lives and stop crime

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12 April 2019 Steve Wood reminds public and private organisations that new data protection legislation does not stop them from disclosing personal data to assist police forces or other law enforcement authorities. It’s nearly eleven months since the UK’s new data protection legislation came into effect, giving organisations more responsibilities and giving citizens strengthened rights. In terms of data sharing the message is also one of continuity as the core considerations that existed under the previous legislation remain the same.  We are aware that sometimes, organisations are hesitant to share…

Blog: Advancing the adtech debate from a data protection perspective

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Simon McDougall, Executive Director for Technology Policy and Innovation, invites adtech industry stakeholders to a fact-finding forum. Advertising is as old as commerce itself. Companies have always innovated to access new markets, and people are often happy to learn of new products and services. But in recent years, technology has completely transformed the way advertising is bought, sold and delivered. Many advertising techniques use people’s personal information, in the form of a personal profile, to decide which advert is delivered to them. Publishers then utilise real-time advertising methods to sell the…

Blog: Data protection and Brexit – ICO advice for organisations

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Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham sets out how the ICO is helping businesses, particularly SMEs, prepare for a possible no-deal Brexit 13 December 2018 The basis on which the UK will leave the EU has still to be decided. The Government has made clear that the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will be absorbed into UK law at the point of exit, so there will be no substantive change to the rules that most organisations need to follow. But organisations that rely on the transfers of personal data between the UK…

Blog: ICO regulatory sandbox | ICO

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ICO analysing initial responses to regulatory sandbox project 21 November 2018 We published a ‘call for views’ on the development of our regulatory sandbox back in September, in line with the commitment made in our Technology Strategy to consult before the end of this year. We were keen to explore a wide range of issues, from identifying areas where data protection might be perceived as a barrier to innovation to the general scope of the sandbox and on to some more detailed questions about what mechanisms and operational approaches we…

Blog: Information Commissioner’s investigation into the Metropolitan Police Service’s Gangs Matrix concludes with enforcement action

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Gang violence is a matter of national concern – but the tools to tackle it must be fair, fit for purpose and above all, trusted by those communities at most risk 16 November 2018 Violent gang crime in London is a matter of national concern. At a time when children are tragically being murdered on the streets and with nearly 200 gangs operating in London, this is a very real and immediate concern and the challenges faced by the Metropolitan Police Service cannot be underestimated. I have the utmost respect…

Blog: Information Commissioner’s report brings the ICO’s investigation into the use of data analytics in political campaigns up to date

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When we launched our investigation into the use of data analytics for political purposes in May 2017, we had little idea of what was to come. 6 November 2018 We were concerned about invisible processing – the ‘behind the scenes’ algorithms, analysis, data matching and profiling that involves people’s personal information.  When the purpose for using these techniques is related to the democratic process, the case for a high standard of transparency is very strong. Since we began, the scope of our investigation has extended to 30 organisations, we have…