UK

Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate Lose 122,000 Customer Records in Data Breach

On 8 May 2015, the database of Bettys & Taylors’ (Bettys), a company which provides specialty cakes, chocolate, sweets, tea and coffee through their online shop and Cafe Tea Rooms, was breached and more than 122,000 names, email addresses and encrypted passwords were copied. The credit card details of Bettys’ customers are kept by a certified third party and are therefore not at risk.

Bettys have shared information about the breach with the Information Commissioner and have setup a dedicated website which provides further information about the breach, including an official statement from Bettys, a frequently asked questions section and clear contact details.

ICO Release a Paper Titled “Data Protection Rights: What the Public Want and What the Public Want from Data Protection Authorities”

The ICO have prepared a paper to provoke discussion and debate surrounding what the UK general public want in relation to data protection rights and, equally, their expectations of data protection authorities. The paper identifies recurring themes concerning public perception of data protection, for example, control and security of personal data and specific rights of access and deletion of data. The paper also identifies independence, consistency and enforcement as common themes of what the public want from data protection authorities.

Home Office Issues “Retention of Communications Data: Code of Practice”

The Home Office has issued a new code of practice pursuant to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 section 71. The Code of Practice relates to the powers and duties conferred or imposed under the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Act 2014 part 1 and the Data Retention Regulations 2014. The Code of Practice provides details of the procedures to be followed when communications data is retained under the aforementioned provisions.

Home Office Issues “Acquisition and Disclosures of Communications Data: Code of Practice”

The Home Office has issued a new code of practice that relates to the powers and duties conferred or imposed under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 Part One, Chapter Two. It provides guidance on the procedures to be followed when an acquisition of communications data takes place under those provisions. This version of the code replaces all previous versions of the code.

The Campaign for Freedom of Information Criticizes the Government’s Statement to Strengthen Ministers’ Powers to Veto

On 13 May 2015, the Campaign for Freedom of Information criticized the government’s statement that it was intending to strengthen ministers’ powers to veto decisions under the Freedom of Information Act. The government’s announcement was made in a lobby briefing and is thought to be in response to the publication of Prince Charles’ correspondence with government ministers.

France

French Parliament Approves “Draft Law on Intelligence”

The French Parliament has approved a bill which, if made into law, will enable policing authorities to implement instructive domestic spying abilities with very little judicial oversight. The Bill is currently before the French Senate and includes measure such as setting up a supervisory body, the National Commission for the Control of Intelligence Techniques, and authorizing French intelligence agencies to bulk collect metadata via Internet providers.