The Information Commissioner has criticised privacy policies as containing too much legal jargon in an attempt to reduce liability, rather than to inform a person how their personal information will be used. The Commissioner has produced a draft document for consultation entitled ‘Privacy Notices Code of Practice’, with examples of good and bad practice, and he will take account of compliance with the code's principles if a complaint is made. Colleges and universities should look to organise a review of their privacy notices and any wordy data collection statements in light of the code of practice’s recommendations.
More details on the code of practice can be found at http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/data_protection/
detailed_specialist_guides/ico_privacy_notes_cop.pdf, and the article can be read in full at http://www.out-law.com/default.aspx?page=9703
(14/01/09)