WIREDGOV

Councillors who handle personal data must check if they need to register as a data controller or risk a fine of up to £5,000, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) said yesterday.

The ICO is writing to councillors across the country to urge them to check if they are fulfilling their legal requirements under the Data Protection Act. Over 6,000 councillors are currently registered with the ICO, but a further 13,000 are potentially not fulfilling their obligations.

While not all councillors will need to notify with the ICO, failure to do so when required is a criminal offence and, if convicted, defendants can face a fine of up to £5,000 in the Magistrates Court or an unlimited fine in the Crown Court.

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