The public are increasingly aware of data protection issues, according to research from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

People now consider protecting their personal information as the second most socially important issue above the NHS, national security and environmental issues.

Information Commissioner Richard Thomas said the results of the research were encouraging.

"While the majority of organisations process personal information appropriately, this research highlights the need for all organisations, large and small, to process customers’ information securely," he said.

The nationwide survey also found that 90 per cent of individuals know that they have a right to see information that an organisation holds about them, compared with 74 per cent three years ago.

And 87 per cent of individuals know they have the right to correct inaccurate personal information held about them – a 10 per cent increase from three years ago.

The research also shows that 94 per cent of individuals are concerned that organisations are selling their personal details to other organisations without permission.