14 DAY TRIAL // The United Kingdom’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has launched a new initiative which focuses on rogue private investigators that solve their cases by illegally obtaining or accessing personal data, thus violating section 55 of the Data Protection Act.
The ICO is determined to gather as much information as possible on the perpetrators from private investigation companies, police, and the public authorities that use these services.
Members of the public are also urged to come forward in case they have information on such rogue investigators.
“By shining a light into the darkest corners of the private investigation industry we are aiming to root out any criminal elements that continue to cause public concern and blight the professional reputation of their counterparts,” said Information Commissioner Christopher Graham.
“We believe the majority of private investigators go about their business in compliance with the Data Protection Act, using their expertise to ask the right questions, investigate the right areas and examine the information that’s already available,” Graham added.
“The fact that less scrupulous professionals may be trying to take shortcuts by illegally accessing people’s data is, quite simply, wrong. This is why they must be identified and stopped using the enforcement powers available, including monetary penalties of up to £500,000 for serious breaches of the Act.”
The Information Commissioner says that information can be submitted anonymously by sending it to the [email protected] email address or by calling 0303 123 1113.
“We would urge anyone who has information that would aid our investigation to get in touch. We will report back on our findings in the summer,” Graham noted.
The campaign comes in light of the News International phone hacking scandal.
Here is a video in which Head of Enforcement Steve Eckersley announces the start of the campaign:
