By Stewart Room

UK Information Commissioner squeezes the PIP

On 28 January, European Data Protection Day, the Information Commissioner launched his new “Personal Information Promise” initiative, which is designed to help restore trust in UK data controllers following a horrid year of data security breaches. The idea behind the PIP is that senior managers within large organisations sign a document promising to go further than their strict legal obligations in the Data Protection Act. The Information Commissioner explains: "In response to recent reports on major data losses, the ICO is urging heads of organisations and government departments to sign up to the Personal Information Promise to demonstrate their organisation’s senior-level commitment to data protection. The aims of the initiative are to improve compliance with the act and help restore public trust and confidence in those who are entrusted with their personal information. “The take-up on launch day was impressive,” resulting in a Early Day Motion of praise in the House of Commons. Initial signatories included Astra Zeneca, British Gas, BT, Experian, Royal Mail, Vodafone and the writer’s firm, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP.