Category: News

When a data controller says that he is processing personal data for “purpose X”, what does “purpose X” mean in practice? The answer is important because the word “purpose” is used in the legislation to describe the Second, Third, and Fifth data protection principles. For example, suppose a data controller claims that "personal data item Z is relevant to a housing benefit purpose". That claim can objectively be assessed; is the data item relevant or not relevant to the housing

According to press reports in Canada, controversial airport scanners that “see-through” the clothes of travellers have received the blessing of Canada's Privacy Commissioner. An assistant Federal Privacy Commissioner has told the press that Canada’s National Air Security Agency has successfully answered all questions about individual privacy. The proposal has stirred controversy in the UK because the scanners produce a three-dimensional outline of an individual’s naked body. However, under the plans approved by Canada’s Federal Privacy Commissioner, the officer viewing the

Data sharing – simple isn’t it: “data share” rhymes with “data care” and “nightmare”. Anyway this is an unashamed plug for a book that contains a chapter on data sharing written by yours truly. To assist the general data protection community, I have placed a checklist of what should appear in a protocol on http://www.amberhawk.com/policydoc.asp   under the heading: “Data sharing protocol checklist – 2009”. The checklist applies to public and private sectors. The book is entitled “Data Protection for Financial

Does it breach the Data Protection Act to process personal data about all demonstrators in order to identify those demonstrators who are also “domestic extremists”?  To answer this question, it is instructive to apply the Data Protection Principles to the photographing of a demonstration by the police. The relevant explanation of the term “domestic extremism” is found on the website of National Extremism Tactical Coordination Unit (NETCU is the Unit that is at the centre of the controversy (http://www.netcu.org.uk/de/default.jsp). Its

Yesterday’s BBC news website carried a story headlined “Bedroom snooper row over census”. “For the first time”, the report says “people will be asked to provide details of the number of bedrooms they have as well as the names, sex and birth dates of any overnight guests in their homes”. “Other new questions”, the report adds “include how well people can speak English, the date overseas nationals entered the UK, how people define their national identity and whether they are