General FAQs

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In this section

Q: Do schools and colleges cover the Data Protection Act and Freedom of Information Act in their syllabuses?
Q: I’ve heard that the ICO has gained new powers. When will they come into force? Will you be producing guidance?
Q: What is the status and role of the Information Commissioners Office?
Q: Do schools and colleges cover the Data Protection Act and Freedom of Information Act in their syllabuses?

Currently, GCSE ICT qualifications usually cover the Data Protection Act in the context of data handling.

For the 2008/09 academic year, AQA have introduced a Citizenship AS and A-Level which teaches candidates about citizen’s rights under the Data Protection Act and Freedom of Information Act. More details can be found on the AQA website.

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Q: I’ve heard that the ICO has gained new powers. When will they come into force? Will you be producing guidance?

The Criminal Justice and Immigration Act has received Royal Assent creating tough new sanctions for the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).This new legislation gives us the power to impose substantial fines on organisations that deliberately or recklessly commit serious breaches of the Data Protection Act.

The finer details including time scales and amounts to be fined still have to go back to Parliament to be signed off.

We will then be producing guidance on the new powers. Unfortunately, we have not been provided with a timescale. However, we will place more information on our website as matters progress.

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Q: What is the status and role of the Information Commissioners Office?

The Information Commissioner's Office is an independent official body. The Information Commissioner is appointed by the Queen. The Commissioner is responsible for administering the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

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