Author: info@amberhawk.com

Ten days ago, the new Information Commissioner, Christopher Graham, was given a difficult time by MPs of the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee. The reason: he admitted to the Committee investigating “Press Standards, Privacy and Libel” that he did not have the resources to enforce the Act against the three hundred or so journalists who had used private investigators to obtain personal data unlawfully. He also said that Parliament and the Courts had let him down in

The brouhaha surrounding the vetting undertaken by the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) with respect to the safeguarding the vulnerable has tended to overlook that such volunteers are likely to “volunteer” to obtain their ID Card. In addition, the link to ID Cards may increase the cost of “volunteering” to about £170 (the vetting fee of £64 and the ID Card cost of £100 plus). Although such a prospect has not been discussed by the press or by Ministers, in my

In July this year, the Times reported a Whitehall briefing paper that discussed the use of portable equipment that provided the police with a DNA analysis within one hour, rather than the three days it currently takes. In ten years time, it easy to envisage that DNA checking will occur in real-time,  raising the spectre of instant DNA checks for those stopped in connection with road traffic offences or with street incidents. If we are really lucky, such DNA checks

For the last 20 years, Home Secretaries have been signing warrants that allow for the access to the content of intercepted communications and as well as powers of entry, search and seizure for the national security agencies. Not many people object to these powers because the interception, search or entry is in a good cause that protects the public. But how do we know this? The answer is that the Government has established a number of independent regulators (e.g. Surveillance

Whilst on holiday abroad (late August), I spotted a Daily Mail headline that baldly stated that “one in 78 adults came under state-sanctioned surveillance last year”. Perusing the newspaper at a safe distance of 1.625 metres, it did not take me long to work out that the story had missed some other interesting statistical points in relation to the Annual Report of the Interception of Communications Commissioner, just published. Any informed analysis of this controversial subject must start with the

Amberhawk Training today announces the creation of the Shelagh Gaskill Bursary, which provides up to £1,000 towards the cost of legal training in freedom of information and data protection.  The bursary is a progression of the Shelagh Gaskill Scholarship that was successfully administered by international law firm Pinsent Masons following Shelagh’s death in 2006.  The scholarship operated for three years and provided training in data protection and freedom of information for charities and those in the voluntary sector.  It supported

It’s been an incredibly busy year in the life if Amberhawk Training Limited, so the Hawk has decided to flap its wings and soar away for a few weeks of rest and recuperation in the woods. We’ll be flying back in 3-4 weeks to continue with our fantastic training courses covering Data Protection, Freedom of Information and the ISEB qualification, held at venues in Leeds, London and Manchester or on site at a location of your choice.   You’ll still