Tag: ICO

ICO urges all app developers to prioritise privacy

Stuart Mitchell

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is reminding all app developers to ensure they protect users’ privacy, following the regulator’s review of period and fertility apps.  Last year, the ICO looked closely at period and fertility apps to understand how they process personal data and identify whether there is any negative impact on users as a result. The review saw the ICO contact several app providers to find out more about their privacy practices, as well as engaging with app users to understand their experiences.  While no serious compliance issues or…

Read More

ICO warns organisations to proactively make advertising cookies compliant after positive response to November call to action

Stuart Mitchell

Stephen Almond, Executive Director, Regulatory Risk, leads the ICO’s team responsible for anticipating, understanding and shaping the impacts of emerging technology and innovation on people and society: Last November we wrote to 53 of the UK’s top 100 websites, warning that they faced enforcement action if they did not make changes to advertising cookies to comply with data protection law. We’ve had an overwhelmingly positive response to our call to action. Of the 53 organisations we contacted, 38 organisations have changed their cookies banners to be compliant and four have…

Read More

New ICO campaign promotes sharing data to safeguard children

Stuart Mitchell

The Information Commissioner’s Office is partnering with education, law enforcement and social service organisations to raise awareness about responsible data sharing to protect children from harm. The data protection regulator has launched a myth-busting campaign called ‘Think. Check. Share.’ which demonstrates how data protection law can help organisations to share personal information when required to safeguard children and young people.  The National Day Nurseries Association, the Early Years Alliance, the College of Policing, the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the Confederation of School Trusts are among the first organisations to…

Read More

ICO publishes updated Commissioner’s Opinion on age assurance for the Children’s code

Stuart Mitchell

The Information Commissioner’s Office has renewed its 2021 age assurance Opinion with an updated version reflecting developments over the past two years. The updated Opinion: gives guidance on what online services must do if they are likely to be accessed by children; reflects the technological developments in this area; and explains legislative developments and how organisations can meet their data protection obligations whilst also complying with the Online Safety Act 2023. Age assurance is an important part of the ICO’s world-leading Children’s code. The Opinion explains how age assurance can…

Read More

UK Information Commissioner warns against 2024 becoming the year people lose trust in AI

Stuart Mitchell

UK Information Commissioner, John Edwards, has warned that 2024 could be the year people lose trust in AI – and call on tech developers to embed privacy into their products from the very start. Referring to research which shows people are growing ever more nervous of AI, Mr Edwards will set out the steps the ICO has taken to support businesses using the smart technology and make it clear that there are no excuses for “bad actors” who do not comply with data protection laws. Delivering the keynote address at…

Read More