The information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has launched an extensive campaign to make sure the Data Protection Fee is paid by all organisations processing personal information unless they are exempt as stated in the Data Protection Act 2018. This involves them contacting all UK registered companies within this category reminding them of their obligation to pay, so you might well have heard from them already.
The cost of the fee depends on a company’s size and turnover, but for most organisations it will be £40 or £60 which is reduced by £5 if you sign up by direct debit.
The ICO has an online self-assessment checker to find out our your business needs to pay a fee and how much, but if you hold personal information for business purposes on any electronic device, including using CCTV for crime prevention purposes, it is likely an annual fee payment is due.
Between 1 July and 30 September 2019, the ICO issued 340 monetary penalties to organisations that had not paid the fee and they name organisations who are fined!
The ICO also publish the names of all fee-paying businesses which gives assurance to their customers, clients and suppliers that they are aware of their legal obligations when processing personal information.
The ICO say ‘We know data protection legislation can be complicated and we are here to help. The reminders we are sending to organisations are to help make it easy to comply with the law as well as access a great deal of advice.’
The ICO has a helpline on 0303 123 1113.
It’s worth checking whether your organisation is required to pay the fee if it isn’t already doing so to avoid a penalty or being ‘named and shamed’.
Disclaimer
The information was correct at time of publishing but may now be out of date.
