ICO urges organisations to do more to protect vulnerable people's personal information

The Information Commissioner Office has urged organisations across the UK to step up data protection efforts to preserve data security and privacy for people in vulnerable situations.

 

In a recent press release, Information Commissioner John Edwards urged organisations to recognise the real-world impact of data breaches and the significance of the impact it can have on individuals’ lives.

 

The assessment came after the ICO revealed results of a survey that showed that nearly 30 million people in the UK have experienced a data breach. 

 

“55% of UK adults reported having had their data lost or stolen, with 30% of them experiencing emotional distress as a result. Yet 25% said they received no support from the organisations responsible and 32% found out through the media rather than from the organisation itself,” the ICO said.

 

Several victims of data breaches shared their experiences of the devastating impact such incidents had on their lives after their personal information was leaked. Many said that they had to “move homes, feeling forced out of their jobs and facing discrimination as a result of data breaches.”

 

Edwards said that people who were already a victim of a vulnerable situation, including survivors of domestic abuse and those living with long-term health conditions, were put into more risk after their personal data was publicly disclosed.

 

“There are two important things I need organisations to understand: empathy and action. You have a role to stop the negative ripple effect in someone’s life from spreading further. It is vitally important to acknowledge what has happened, be human in your response and commit to making sure it doesn’t happen again.

 

“We trust organisations with some of the most sensitive personal information imaginable, yet these data breaches continue to happen. This is not just an admin error – it is about people. When data is mishandled, it can have serious and long-lasting consequences, particularly for people in vulnerable situations. We need organisations across the country to do better,” he added.

 

Edwards has directed organisations to “stop the negative ripple effect” of data security incidents and show a more humane approach while dealing with the individuals affected by those incidents.