Privacy impact guidelines to be launched

Organisations must consider the impact on individuals’ privacy before developing new IT systems the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) will say today.

Lauching new guidelines on Privacy Impact Assessments at a conference on the ‘surveillance society’ in Manchester today, the watchdog will say that the breach at HM Revenue and Customs was a watershed and will call for organisations to implement new safeguards to help protect individuals’ privacy.

The collection of personal information can be beneficial, but there are also serious drawbacks, according to ICO deputy commissioner David Smith.

"Many people do not realise that data collection is at the heart of surveillance - each time someone gives away their personal information they leave electronic footprints which build up a picture of every aspect of their daily lives," he said.

"It is essential that before introducing new systems and technologies which could accelerate the growth of a surveillance society, full consideration is given to the impact on individuals and that safeguards are in place to minimise intrusion."

The ICO will launch a privacy impact assessment handbook later today to help organisations address the risks to personal privacy before implementing new initiatives and technologies.

See also:

Consumers warned over private sector information sharing

Implications for citizens' data protection is as serious in private sector as public sector, says think-tank  07 Dec 2007

Commissioner wants data protection raids

Public should be protected from cyber-criminals and 'idiots' who break the data protection laws  05 Dec 2007

ICO warns of more breaches

Richard Thomas tells MPs why he needs more power and more money  05 Dec 2007

Firms woken up by HMRC breach, says ICO

Data watchdog, the Information Commissioner, says that the HMRC breach could have a positive outcome  05 Dec 2007

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