ORG Issue: Freedom of Information

The Freedom of Information Act (FoI) creates a wide-ranging right to see information held by public authorities, improving transparency and accountability in British government. Campaigners and journalists use FoI to hold officials to account. Disclosures range from the ‘hidden’ casualty rates of British service personnel in Iraq to the £3.3bn cost of our exit from the Exchange Rate Mechanism.

Further resources:

Latest Freedom of Information news

What BERR want from Phorm - and what we think they’re missing

Posted by Becky on September 19th, 2008 in categories Data Protection, Freedom of Information, Net Neutrality, Privacy, Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 3 Comments »

Phorm, the targeted behavioural advertising technology company, has been back in the headlines this week. The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) have finally responded to the European Commission’s demand for an explanation of how Phorm’s technology conforms with EU data protection and privacy laws. Information Society Commissioner Viviane Reding had asked the [...]

Read the rest of "What BERR want from Phorm - and what we think they’re missing"

Government wants to be open

Posted by Michael Holloway on October 29th, 2007 in categories Freedom of Information 1 Comment »

The results of the Freedom of Information (FoI) consultation are now public. Contrary to initial proposals, and in line with ORG’s position, FoI regulations will not be modified to discourage applications. Equally encouraging are three newly announced inquiries, all touted to ‘make Government more open’.
As you may remember from our collaborative drafting process, proposals would [...]

Read the rest of "Government wants to be open"

Information Commissioner Horrified

Posted by Glyn on July 11th, 2007 in categories Data Protection, Freedom of Information 1 Comment »

The Information Commissioner’s Annual Report is launched today. Speaking at the launch Richard Thomas, the Information Commissioner, will say:
“Over the last year we have seen far too many careless and inexcusable breaches of people’s personal information. The roll call of banks, retailers, government departments, public bodies and other organisations which have admitted serious security [...]

Read the rest of "Information Commissioner Horrified"

MPs vote themselves above Freedom of Information

Posted by Michael Holloway on May 21st, 2007 in categories Freedom of Information 5 Comments »

The House of Commons voted last Friday for legislation “designed to protect MPs, not their constituents” by exempting themselves from the Freedom of Information Act. The story is well covered by blogs and traditional media. There is some hope at least the Lords will prevent this Private Members Bill reaching the statute books.
Here’s a list [...]

Read the rest of "MPs vote themselves above Freedom of Information"