U.K. Consumers Now Privacy-Aware -

U.K. Consumers Now Privacy-Aware
March 20, 2008 | by Christopher Nickson

80% of UK citizens now take more care about the way they look after their personal information, according to a new survey.

UK agencies haven’t had a good record when it comes to keeping data private. Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs lost a pair of discs containing data on over 25 million people, while the Armed Forces have managed other losses in recent months, enough to shake consumer confidence in the way data is handled by official bodies.

A survey from the Office of the Information Commissioner (ICO) has determined that 88% of people are now checking their bank statements on a more regular basis, while, wherever possible, 85% of Brits are no longer giving out person details.

53% said they had no confidence in the way banks, local authorities and government departments handled data, and 75% worried about the safety of their personal information.

David Smith, deputy commissioner at the ICO, said,

"As more and more personal information is collected, the risk grows that some information will be inaccurate, out of date or end up in the wrong hands. If organisations fail to recognize the importance of data protection they not only risk losing business, they could also face action from the ICO."

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