Good data protection sense from the Brits

The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has done what the Federal Trade Commission should do -- produced a no-nonsense Guide to Data Protection. This Guide is intended to provide small and medium sized enterprises with practical advice about the UK's Data Protection Act and takes a straightforward look at the data protection principles, using practical, business-based examples. It allows users to choose whether they need very basic, or more detailed compliance advice, depending on their needs.

Stephen Alambritis, Head of Public Affairs at the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “Small businesses do not have time for pages and pages of jargon and gobbledegook, but getting data protection right makes good business sense. Data protection lapses cost reputations and can affect the bottom line. But, many organisations tell us that data protection law is difficult to understand. This new no-nonsense guide will help the business community to understand and comply with the law.”

This Guide will also be helpful for non-UK companies to understand their data protection obligations when doing business in the UK with the data of UK citizens. Clear, straight-forward and unambiguous. Makes sense.