Tag: ICO

The number of complaints made to the ICO about automated nuisance calls has almost tripled in just three months, reaching its highest level since 2021. Complaints from the general public to the ICO rose from 1,374 in July to 2,178 in August, an increase of 58%, before climbing a further 69% to 3,684 in September.  The sharp rise has prompted renewed warnings about the scale of the problem, with the ICO cautioning that the true number of automated calls being made is likely to be far higher than the complaints…

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An ICO spokesperson said: We note the outcome of the Meta trial in the United States of America and the steps the company has agreed to take. While the UK continues to develop plans for a social media ban for under 16s, children deserve to enjoy all the opportunities the online world has to offer whilst being protected from practices that may put their privacy, wellbeing or safety at risk.  Children’s privacy is one of our regulatory priorities. Our Children’s Code is clear that online services must design their products…

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The ICO has made temporary changes to the governance around how the Information Commissioner’s responsibilities are carried out. This follows the completion of an independent workplace investigation relating to John Edwards, the Information Commissioner. The investigation has now concluded. As the Information Commissioner is accountable to Parliament, and not employed by the ICO, the next steps will be determined by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). The Commissioner voluntarily stepped back from his duties on 26 February to enable the investigation to take place. He continued to receive…

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The ICO have published new guidance to help public authorities confidently handle Freedom of Information (FOI) requests that involve the use of artificial intelligence (AI).  The guidance responds directly to what FOI practitioners have told us about the growing impact of AI on their work. Public authorities are seeing an increase in the volume and complexity of requests generated using AI tools, including requests that misquote legislation or require significant clarification before they can be processed.  Without clear, practical support, this trend risks placing pressure on FOI teams and could…

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The ICO have published final guidance on the ‘charitable purposes soft opt-in’ provision, helping charities to understand and apply the new rules.  The change, which came into force as part of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 on 5 February 2026, means charities can send direct marketing by electronic mail, including emails, texts and direct messages on social media, to people who have expressed an interest in, or offered to support, an organisation’s charitable purpose, without needing to obtain consent first, providing strict requirements have been met. We have…

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