The
Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) had written to Corporate
& Trade Limited on five separate occasions, while General &
Commercial Limited received three letters from the data protection
watchdog. Despite this, the firms, which trade from the same
premises in Preston, still failed to notify the ICO that they
processed personal data.
This is a requirement for most businesses in terms of the Data
Protection Act, and costs only £35 per year.
Both firms were given the maximum possible fine of £5000, and
ordered to pay £300 towards prosecution costs by Manchester City
magistrates on Wednesday.
“Businesses that process people’s personal information must
notify us at the Information Commissioner’s Office,” said Philip
Taylor, solicitor at the ICO.
He warned that the ICO would take action against the small
number of firms that flout the Data Protection Act.
“Complying with the Act ensures that individuals’ personal
information is secure, accurate, up-to-date and is processed
fairly,” said Taylor. “This latest successful prosecution should
remind organisations of their responsibilities under the Act.”
