The information watchdog is handling record levels of business and productivity is dramatically up, the Information Commissioner’s Annual Report for 2009/10 shows.
Speaking at the annual report launch the Information Commissioner, Christopher Graham said that the watchdog is in pole position to deliver on the agenda of transparency, accountability, privacy and freedom.
“We’ve never been busier,” says the Commissioner, reporting a 20pc rise in freedom of information cases and a 30% rise in data protection cases. “But despite the surge in business, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is keeping on top of the demand for our services.” The office closed 39pc more cases than in 2008/09.
Christopher Graham says: “Technology, concerns about data security and the welcome focus on transparency of official information mean information rights are centre stage. We have made some significant internal changes to ensure we are best placed to deal with the increasing demands and expectations placed upon us by the public and the organisations we work with. Respect for information rights is not optional. Organisations that ignore their responsibilities will not only lose the confidence and trust of citizens and consumers but could face painful enforcement action from the ICO as well.”
Oddly, while the ICO made no mention of CCTV in its report, it did quote a London Evening Standard article that the watchdog was to demand curbs on pub and club CCTV and identity scanners. However judging by complaints by the public, concerns are not over security but about invasion of privacy by money-lenders and direct marketers.
