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DATA PROTECTION LEGISLATION FINALLY STEPS UP THE PRESSURE FOR COMPLIANCE.
 
The UK Information Commissioner has been given new powers to impose hefty fines on:

  • those who intentionally or recklessly disclose information contained in personal data to another person; 
  • those who repeatedly and negligently allow information to be contained in personal data to be disclosed; and on those
  • whose deliberate or reckless actions result in breaches of the Data Protection Act's eight Principles.

In addition, the Information Commissioner has been given the power to:

  • inspect personal data and the circumstances surrounding its processing in order to assess compliance with the Act;
  • bring seriously unlawful processing to an immediate halt;
  • take enforcement action to prevent breaches of the Act that are likely to occur.

The Deputy Information Commissioner, David Smith, has stated that "This change in the law sends a very clear signal that data protection must be a priority and that it is completely unacceptable to be cavalier with people's personal information. The prospect of substantial fines for deliberate or reckless breaches of the Data Protection Principles will act as a strong deterrent and help ensure that organisations take their data protection obligations more seriously."
 
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