Recent Concerns over a potential Rise – should business owners be worried?

Here Robyn Banks who is a Data Protection Specialist and an Affiliate for INsiders – meaning business owners get a discount to be compliant with data protection laws and requirements, shares a stark warning on the risks to AI templates for privacy notices and templates. Learn more about affiliates offers for INsiders here.

It recently came to my attention that the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is running a consultation about raising the ICO Data Protection Fee.  The Consultation states that they want to raise the Fee from £40 p.a to £55 p.a  – this is the lowest tier of fee currently.

So, business owners, charities and collectors of data – if you are fully compliant with these Regulations and pay the lowest tier of fee, should you be concerned?

Well, there are some things to consider –

1. The fee hasn’t risen since the fees were first introduced with the 1998 Data Protection Act over 20 years ago. The fee finances the ICO itself – any fines go to the Treasury. So I’m not really surprised they are now considering a rise.
2. This is a “consultation” the fee is controlled by the Data Protection Fees Regulations 2018 – a consultation is the start of a lengthy process.
3. Currently, the fine for not registering and paying the fee at this lowest tier STARTS at £400.  So I suspect that the new fee will also attract a higher fine of £550 too.

Remember – it won’t happen overnight as it has to go through the Parliamentary Process – they are a little more preoccupied at the moment!

Thank you for your view Robyn, Robyn is an active member of our online business growth and networking community where you can ask for help and share your knowledge to gain new business and grow your business.