GOVERNMENT IN BREACH OF DATA PROTECTION ACT

The Joint Committee

The Joint Committee on human rights has warned that the government could be breaking the human rights act because of breaches in security by government departments. The government is now considering measures to tighten up data protection, a report by the Joint Committee suggests that the public is not confident about the security of data collection for the nation identity register.

Currently, government departments cannot be held criminally responsible for data protection breaches. The Commons Justice Committee is currently considering proposals to amend section 60 of the data protection act, through the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill.

This will provide a custodial sentence as well as the existing fines for those found guilty of illegally obtaining or disclosing personal data.