An undertaking to comply with the seventh data protection principle has been signed by the Local Government Ombudsman. This follows the theft of a bag containing hard copy papers relating to complaints made to the Local Government Ombudsman (the LGO) including some sensitive personal information. The bag, which was stolen from an investigator at a public house, contained an encrypted portable media device and hard copy papers relating to eight complaints made to the Ombudsman about planning applications. This included some sensitive personal information relating to one of the complainants.
It is felt that the provision of data protection training was insufficient to ensure staff awareness of policies and procedures relating to the use of personal data.
SOURCE: Information Commissioner’s Office