This Freedom of Information Bill yesterday entered its Committee
Stage in the House of Lords which it is due to complete on 24th
October. The Bill aims to amend the Data Protection Act 1998 and
the Public Records Act 1958, creating new rights to access
information.
The new law:
- provides a right of access to recorded information held by public authorities;
- creates exemptions from the duty to disclose information; and
- establishes the arrangements for enforcement and appeal.
It will also create an offence of tampering with personal data. The Bill provides that the offence will be committed if, following a request by an individual for access to personal data held on him or her, any person “alters, defaces, blocks, erases, destroys or conceals” any record which the requestor is entitled to.
The offence does not interfere with routine updates, changes and deletions to personal data.
