Information Commissioner


Information Commissioner

the office in charge of the working of DATA PROTECTION and FREEDOM OF INFORMATION legislation. European legislation requires each Member State to establish a supervisory body vested with the authority to audit data processing systems, to examine complaints issued by data subjects, and to enforce sanctions against data processors who fail to abide by the EU Directive. In the UK, this independent oversight function was originally performed by the Data Protection Commissioner and is now overseen by the Information Commissioner. The Commissioner has to compile and maintain a register of data users. He has power to gain access to data forming the subject-matter of processing operations and powers to collect all the information necessary for the performance of supervisory duties. The Commissioner has powers of intervention such as the ordering of blocking, erasure or destruction of data, imposition of a temporary or permanent ban on data processing, and warning or admonishing the data controller and power to engage in legal proceedings where the national provisions adopted pursuant to the Directive have been violated or to bring these violations to the attention of the judicial authorities.