More Power, More Problems, More People for UK's ICO

UK data protection authority the ICO is following up its new regulatory powers with a major recruitment drive - up to 200 new investigators will join the body.

According to reports in www.thetimes.co.uk , the recruitment drive reflects the challenge of tackling 'the trade in personal data by firms such as Facebook and Google'. In addition to mounting a major investigation into the Cambridge Analytica scandal and issues surrounding data analytics for political purposes, the Commissioner is also in the thick of GDPR, which comes into force this week. As the deadline approaches this is as much about providing clarity and promoting calmness as it is waking firms up to the existence of the Act.

Among the roles now being advertised via the ICO site (www.hays.co.uk/jobs/ico/the-opportunity ) are no fewer than nine Heads of section, including Head of Intelligence and Head of Investigations, and the Commissioner says 'at least another 150' will be added in the next two years, including positions in the head office in Wilmslow, Cheshire, and in London, Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff.

In a blog post on the new powers (https://iconewsblog.org.uk/2018/05/04/new-regulatory-powers-for-the-digital-age), Deputy Commissioner (Operations) James Dipple-Johnstone said over the last few months it had 'become increasing clear that some of our powers are not fit for purpose for the challenging remit we have in the digital age' and that the Commissioner had 'also realised that the powers under the GDPR, although enhanced, are not going to be sufficient either'. The post continued:
'It's useful to have the option of larger fines and sanctions under the GDPR, but unless we have the powers to move at pace and obtain the information and evidence to determine what's happened, we will be hampered in our future ability to issue those fines or sanctions.

'The data analytics investigation flagged up the real challenge, which has been how we can quickly secure the evidence needed to investigate the case'.

Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham (pictured) has been two years in the job, and said at the time of her appointment that if Britain voted to leave the EU a major part of her work would be the construction of a new national framework.

The body is online at www.ico.org.uk .