ICO must inspect private sector, say MPs

Thomas : wants powers to inspect firms

The government must extend the Information Commissioner's new powers to spot check government departments to the private sector, say MPs.

The Coroner's and Justice Bill – currently passing through parliament – gives the Information Commissioner powers to spot check government departments, local authorities and certain police and NHS bodies to ensure compliance with data protection legislation.

But given the amount of information held in the private sector, the powers should be extended, said a report from the Joint Committee on Human Rights.

"As the line between private and public service providers becomes increasingly blurred it is important that the Information Commissioner’s powers should be extended to cover the private sector," said the chair of the committee, Andrew Dismore.

The calls echo those from the information commissioner himself, whose office said in a consultation on the bill:

"We are strongly of the view that if individuals are to be protected properly, we must be able to serve assessment notices on all data controllers – including private sector, public sector and third sector organisations."

Private and third sector bodies frequently carry out work for the public sector and under current arrangements, for example, the ICO could inspect the local authority, but not a charity.