In response to a call from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) the government are consulting on amending the Data Protection Act 1998. The consultation outlines plans to imprison those ‘who seek to profit from the illegal trade in personal data, and for those who knowingly or recklessly disclose personal data to those who have no right to have it.’ FE and HE institutions have responsibility as data controllers and as such should ensure that they are fully aware of current data protection guidance and legislation. For further details on this news story you may wish to refer to the consultation at :
http://www.justice.gov.uk/about/docs/data-misuse-increased-penalties.pdf.