In Brief

DATA DOUBTS

Internet companies that process any personal data in Europe must comply with its privacy laws even if based outside the EU, Europe’s data protection watchdogs say. The Article 29 Working Party is demanding that its data protection rules apply to personal data processed by companies that do not even have EU offices. The working party claims that the practice of keeping a record of what internet addresses gave rise to what searches breaches the Data Protection Directive, which imposes obligations on firms processing personal data. In a statement, the working party says: “Search engines fall under the EU Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC if there are controllers collecting users’ IP addresses or search history information, and therefore have to comply with relevant provisions.” Under these rules, the way companies use personal information would be more tightly controlled.

LAWYERS COP OUT

The Police Action Lawyers Group (PALG) has resigned from the advisory board of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) after becoming frustrated with the poor quality of the organisation’s decision-making. The resignation of the group, which specialises in the handling of police complaints, follows an investigation by The Guardian which found a catalogue of administrative problems including allegations of favouritism, indifference and extreme delay. In October 2005, PALG handed a report to the IPCC highlighting poor working practices, which has not been acted upon.

SOLICITORS DATA

Two London solicitors have been successfully prosecuted for Data Protection Act 1998 offences. Olubi Adejobi of Grier Olubi solicitors and Robert Bentley of Bentleys Solicitors were each fined £300 and ordered to pay costs of £500 following their failure to notify as data controllers, despite frequent reminders from the Information Commissioner’s Office. Both men are still yet to notify.