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ICO: Consumers more cautious with data

Recent data losses have changed how UK consumers manage their personal data, according to a survey from the Information Commissioner's Office.

By Nicole Kobie, 19 Mar 2008 at 11:13

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Most UK consumers are taking more care in managing their personal information, with many refusing to give out their details if possible, a new survey by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has shown.

Following a string of high profile data losses, 53 per cent of those surveyed said they no longer trust the way organisations, including banks and government, handle such information - but 70 per cent feel they lack the power to ensure their data is kept safe.

David Smith, deputy commissioner at the ICO, said: "For any of us to have trust in an organisation we must be confident that our information is held securely and processed in line with data protection rules."

Some eight out of ten respondents to the nationwide survey said they take greater care in how they look after their personal details, while 88 per cent now check bank statements regularly. And, 85 per cent avoid giving out personal information if possible.

Smith encouraged everyone to check how organisations are storing their personal details, to ensure it is safe and accurate. "Taking care of our personal information has never been so important and, as the research shows, the majority of us are now much more aware of the value of our personal details," he said in a statement. "As more and more personal information is collected, the risk grows that some information will be inaccurate, out of date or end up in the wrong hands."

The ICO advised individuals to ask organisations about their data protection practices before giving out their details, a habit which could pressure companies into improving their policies lest they lose business.

"If we all regularly start to ask the right questions then organisations will respond to public demand and take the protection of our personal information more seriously," Smith said. "If organisations fail to recognise the importance of data protection they not only risk losing business, they could also face action from the ICO."

The watchdog added that organisations - be they government or corporations - which use such information must ensure it is secure, not transferred to insecure countries, not kept for longer than necessary, is accurate, and not excessive to their purposes, as well as be processed fairly and lawfully, for limited purposes and in line with individual rights.