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Analysis and Commentary about Global Data Protection Laws, Including GDPR, FOI, Cyber Security and Surveillance
By Sam Lincoln (Chief Surveillance Inspector 2006 – 2013) Recently Ibrahim Hasan alerted you to the revisions of the two codes of practice underPart 2 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) published on 10th December 2014. Ibrahim urged you to read them but I suspect that it wasn’t at the top of … Continue reading “The New RIPA Surveillance Codes: Key Changes”
On 10th December 2014 revised versions of the two codes of practice under Part 2 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) will come into force. This will be as a result of two statutory instruments made on 19th November 2014 namely; the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Covert Surveillance and Property Interference: Code … Continue reading “New RIPA Codes come into force on 10th December 2014”
Roger J Bescoby of the Brownsword Group writes: Brownsword Group is often engaged to undertake covert surveillance on behalf of clients, including public bodies and insurance companies, where, for example, there are allegations of insurance fraud or spurious personal injury claims. All surveillance is done in compliance with relevant laws and codes of practice including … Continue reading “Surveillance and the DPA”
The Office of Surveillance Commissioners (OSC) is responsible for overseeing the use of covert surveillance by designated public authorities by carrying out regular inspections. (Appendix E of the Chief Surveillance Commissioner’s Annual Report (2012-13) lists those whom the OSC inspects and how often.) In the UK the inspections check councils’ compliance with Part 2 of … Continue reading “RIPA Part 2 Inspections: Common Criticisms by the OSC”
December 2013 marked the 10-year anniversary of one of Data Protection’s most notorious developments, but it came and went without any great fanfare. It’s not really surprising that the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) didn’t issue a press release celebrating the Durant judgment’s birthday, as they have been quietly attempting to erase it from history. The … Continue reading “Definition of Personal Data: Durant Revisited”
About 5pm I arrive at a small hotel ready to deliver training the next day. There is no car park at the hotel so I park on the large pay and display opposite. I check the charges, and buy the minimum – one hour, while I go into the hotel to check-in and see about … Continue reading “Trainer under Surveillance! – RIPA required or even obtainable?”
Walking through Huddersfield the other day I caught this interesting example of a fair processing notice. It was a bus shelter. The actual notice was well above the normal range of vision. (Which reminds me of an old joke. What lies on its back eight feet up in the air. Answer later.) But how fair … Continue reading “Sort of Fair Processing Notice”
Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 2012 CHAPTER 9 The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 received Royal Assent on 1st May 2012. The Act contains a number of measures which, when brought into force, will have a major impact on public authorities especially councils. Amongst other things the Act: Introduces a new code of practice for … Continue reading “Protection of Freedoms Act 2012”
It may have sneaked under the radar in and around Xmas but an FOI request in Wales to schools produced some alarming stats. There are at least 2,840 cameras in schools across Wales, one school in Cardiff has 40 cameras for around 190 pupils. Just over a third of all the schools in Wales responded … Continue reading “DP & FOI. Coming to a school near you.”