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"Hello, police, where are you hiding your runaway wife?"
The UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the local data protection regulator, has drawn the attention of organizations that process citizens personal identifying information (PII) to the danger of personal data leaks from victims of domestic violence. Such violations can put people's lives at very real risk.
Over the past 14 months, the ICO has issued reprimands to seven organizations due to violations in the storage of confidential information. They included a law firm, a housing association, a medical trust, the State Department, local councils and the police Service.
Among the identified cases:
The Information Commissioner's Office claims that in most cases the reason was the lack of appropriate training of staff and the use of unreliable data processing procedures.
The Information Commissioner, John Edwards, expressed his concern: "These families sought help to avoid violence and ensure their safety. But those they trusted put them at additional risk."
Edwards stressed the need for proper organization of work with personal data, including double-checking all information by responsible persons before it is transferred, modified or disclosed. It is also recommended to restrict access to sensitive information using passwords and access control systems.
"Protecting the rights of victims of domestic violence to information is a priority for us. We will provide additional support and advice to ensure the safety of people," concluded Edwards.
The UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the local data protection regulator, has drawn the attention of organizations that process citizens personal identifying information (PII) to the danger of personal data leaks from victims of domestic violence. Such violations can put people's lives at very real risk.
Over the past 14 months, the ICO has issued reprimands to seven organizations due to violations in the storage of confidential information. They included a law firm, a housing association, a medical trust, the State Department, local councils and the police Service.
Among the identified cases:
- Four cases in which organizations disclosed the secure addresses of victims to the accused. In one case, the affected family had to be resettled immediately.
- Accidental disclosures of the identity of women who tried to find out information about their partners to these partners.
- Disclosure of the home address of two adopted children to their own father, who is serving a sentence for raping their mother.
- Send unedited reports with confidential information about children at risk and their mother's former partners.
The Information Commissioner's Office claims that in most cases the reason was the lack of appropriate training of staff and the use of unreliable data processing procedures.
The Information Commissioner, John Edwards, expressed his concern: "These families sought help to avoid violence and ensure their safety. But those they trusted put them at additional risk."
Edwards stressed the need for proper organization of work with personal data, including double-checking all information by responsible persons before it is transferred, modified or disclosed. It is also recommended to restrict access to sensitive information using passwords and access control systems.
"Protecting the rights of victims of domestic violence to information is a priority for us. We will provide additional support and advice to ensure the safety of people," concluded Edwards.
