Open Rights Group

Is the ICO is without a head. But its problems run deeper 🚧

The regulator has taken its hands off the wheel by failing to enforce data protection law for a long time. As the search for a new Commissioner gets underway, the ICO needs a fundamental reset that puts our rights first.

Lacking proper arms-length from the government, the ICO hasn't properly supervised public bodies, allowing data malpractices to spread. This is clear in the failure to take action over the MoD's Afghan data breach, the Home Office's flawed eVisa scheme and HMRC's unjust crackdown on child benefits.

Despite recognising that automated systems expose workers to heightened risks of discrimination and wage-theft, the ICO has taken no enforcement action. The outgoing Commissioner even backed down to let UK data protection reforms gut our right not to be subject to solely automated decision-making.

The ICO has actively pushed for age verification measures at the expense of privacy. This fails to address the repurposing of personal data from age checks for targeted online advertising. In turn, advertising data is used to drive up engagement, exploit addictions and target harmful content.

The meltdown of the ICO leadership underscores the need to restore integrity at the top. This starts with an end to the revolving door of senior staff working for the industries or companies that they were meant to police. Establishing proper boundaries against corporate influence is necessary.

The ICO needs an overhaul of its regulatory and enforcement posture. The government have an opportunity to restore effective oversight of data protection rule. It's essential for trustworthy public sector delivery, innovation that benefits workers, and a digital economy that works for the public.

Data protection is key to regulate AI and promote online safety, child protection workers’ rights and public service delivery. Without proper regulation and policing of data practices, harms ensue, public trust erodes and markets fail.

That's why we need a regulator with teeth.

Sign and share the petition ➡️ https://action.openrightsgroup.org/reset-ico

Wanted: Government to fix the ICO Following the conclusion of an internal HR process, the Information Commissioner is on garden leave, before his final exit.