Our mission
Our mission is to uphold information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals.
We do this by overseeing the laws that give you rights about the official information you can see and the personal information that organisations hold about you.
The Data Protection Act and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations give you the right to know what information is held about you, and set rules to make sure this information is handled properly.
The Freedom of Information Act, Environmental Information Regulations and INSPIRE Regulations give you the right to see information held by public bodies unless there are good reasons to keep it confidential.
Our vision
By 2012 we will be recognised by our stakeholders as the authoritative arbiter of information rights, delivering high-quality, relevant and timely outcomes, responsive and outward-looking in our approach, and with committed, high-performing staff – a model of good regulation and a great place to work and develop.
Our areas of focus
There are four main focuses to the work of the ICO:
Educating and influencing
- Providing an enquiry service for individuals and organisations.
- Publishing guidance and information to encourage organisations to achieve good practice and help individuals to understand their rights.
- We speak to groups to raise awareness of the law and how it works.
- We influence thinking on privacy and access issues.
Resolving problems
- We resolve eligible complaints from people who think the Data Protection Act or Freedom of Information Act has been breached.
Enforcing
- We maintain the public register of data controllers.
- We monitor the approved model publication scheme which must be adopted by public authorities under the Freedom of Information Act.
- We prosecute those who commit offences under the legislation.
Developing and improving
- We work efficiently and effectively
- We aim to provide a good working environment and development for staff.
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