PRCA & LGcomms raise public sector concerns in ICO Consultation on Direct Marketing

The PRCA and LGcomms have issued a joint response to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) consultation on the Direct Marketing Code. The industry bodies have raised concerns regarding the ICO’s plans to classify all communication from public sector bodies as commercial and promotional. Examples of public sector communication that would be considered promotional include messages from GP surgeries regarding the availability of flu vaccinations for residents.   The new guidance would impose an unnecessary burden on public sector professionals who work in departments that are overstretched and under-resourced. The PRCA and LGcomms…

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ICO statement in response to an announcement made by the Metropolitan Police Service on the use of live facial recognition

The ICO has released a statement about the Metropolitan Police Service on the use of live facial recognition: In October 2019 we concluded our investigation into how police use live facial recognition technology (LFR) in public places. Our investigation found there was public support for police use of LFR but also that there needed to be improvements in how police authorised and deployed the technology if it was to retain public confidence and address privacy concerns. We set out our views in a formal Opinion for police forces. The Metropolitan…

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ICO release statement on approved certification schemes

The ICO has announced it will be working with UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) to deliver the ICO-approved certification schemes. The ICO will approve and publish the certification schemes and, as the UK national accreditation body, UKAS will accredit certification bodies to deliver those schemes. Ian Hulme, Director for Regulatory Assurance said: “The GDPR introduced the accountability principle, which requires data controllers to demonstrate their compliance with the law. Certification is a voluntary, and therefore very valuable means of gaining and demonstrating GDPR compliance. “The ICO is pleased to confirm that…

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ICO launches consultation on draft direct marketing code of practice

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has launched a public consultation on a draft direct marketing code of practice. Processing personal data for direct marketing purposes is carried out by the vast majority of organisations. Businesses from sole traders through to large corporations as well as the public sector, charities, political parties and other not-for-profit organisations all use direct marketing as a tool to grow their business or publicise their causes and aims. However all organisations have an obligation to ensure their direct marketing activities comply with the General Data Protection…

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CIPR welcomes ICO investigation into use of facial recognition technology

The CIPR’s #AIinPR Panel has welcomed the ICO’s announcement that it plans to investigate the use of live facial recognition technology in King’s Cross, London. The statement comes a day after the CIPR’s Artificial Intelligence Panel called on businesses to be transparent about the use of emerging technology. The ICO is the UK’s independent body set up to uphold information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals. The ICO’s move to investigate this application of facial recognition in a public space is welcomed. Facial recognition remains…

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