Spotlight session: ICO's revised approach to public sector regulation and what it means for housing associations

In June 2022, the ICO announced a two-year trial of a revised approach to working more effectively with public authorities across the UK. This is known as the “public sector approach”, which saw the use of the Commissioner’s discretion to reduce the impact of fines on public bodies and the services they provide and aimed to improving data protection standards in this sector through proactive engagement and guidance.

We recognise that there are organisations in the UK, such as charities and social enterprises which are not public authorities for the purposes of the DPA 2018 but that services might be similarly impacted by a fine.

Therefore we are now inviting all stakeholders who may have an interest in our approach to help inform some proposed updates to the public sector approach following the end of its trial. In particular, we are seeking views on:

• Organisations in scope of the public sector approach
  
• The circumstances that will lead to a fine under the public sector approach
  

Please join us for a short discussion with the ICO Wales team where you can hear more about the consultation with information on how you can submit your views.

Please note, this ICOs consultation will close on 31 January 2025.