News: Information Commissioner Consults on Data Protection and Press Code of Practice

In the light of Lord Justice Leveson’s recommendations on Data Protection, the Information Commissioner is proposing to issue a Code of Practice under section 51 of the Data Protection Act 1998 in relation to the law as it currently stands.  Before doing so, the Information Commissioner’s Office (“ICO”) is engaging in a short “framework consultation”.

This is a short public consultation on the likely scope and content of the proposed ICO code of practice.  The ICO describes it as

“an important first step in ensuring our stakeholders have an opportunity to let us know their views and engage in constructive dialogue to develop a common understanding of how data protection legislation applies to the media. This will be followed by a full public consultation on the code itself“.

The ICO recognises the crucial importance of getting the balance right between freedom of expression and individuals’ legitimate expectations that their personal information will be protected and, as a result, it has published a framework consultation document at the outset of the project to give a broad overview of the likely scope and content of the proposed code of practice. In addition to the code of practice, the ICO will publish companion guidance for members of the public.

The closing data of this consultation is 15 March 2013.

The full text of the Consultation Document can be found here [word]