Data Protection Act watchdog slaps compliance order on B4usearch.com

The Information Commissioner's Office says the web site must protect personal data

The Information Commissioner’s Office, in its role as data protection watchdog, has issued its first cease and desist order to a web site to stop exposure of personal information.

Last week, the ICO said it had issued the notice against the B4usearch.com site after receiving a large number of complaints, but added that there is no set number required to trigger an investigation. The ICO received 1,600 complaints about the company B4U, with many claiming it had not removed their personal details from its web site when asked to do so.

The ICO felt that B4usearch.com had breached the Data Protection Act because it was using data from the 2002 electoral roll – after that date individuals could choose whether they wanted their data included or not.

A spokesman for the ICO said that before issuing the notice it had tried to work with the firm to ensure compliance with the Data Protection Act, but had failed. He said, “It must now cease and desist from using this information.”

What happens next depends on B4U. The ICO spokesman said, “If the enforcement notice fails we have the power to pursue the company through the courts. To avoid this the company must ensure that it meets the terms of the enforcement notice.”