Maximum penalty of £500,000 proposed by Ministry of Justice

16 Nov 2009

The Ministry of Justice has published its consultation proposal in relation to the financial penalties that will apply when the Information Commissioner's powers to impose fines for serious data protection breaches become operational in 2010.  

The consultation, which closes on 21 December 2009 invites views on the maximum penalty that the ICO should be able to impose. A maximum penalty of £500,000 is proposed. A maximum penalty of this magnitude would increase the pressure on all organisations to comply with data protection legislation and, in particular, to minimise the risk of DPA breaches likely to cause harm or distress to individuals.  

The consultation document can be viewed at or downloaded from www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/civil-monetary-penalties-consultation.htm href="http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/civil-monetary-penalties-consultation.htm">http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/civil-monetary-penalties-consultation.htm