ICO consults on initial ideas for a press code of practice



Following Lord Justice Leveson’s recommendation that the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) should prepare comprehensive data protection guidelines for the press, the ICO has published a consultation paper that reflects its initial thinking on the issue.

The consultation concerns the overall scope and content of the proposed code of practice. The voluntary code would focus on the application of section 32 of the Data Protection Act, the so-called “special purposes” exemption. It would also define the relationship between data protection and freedom of expression.

In this public consultation, the ICO is seeking to gather views about whether stakeholders think the proposed range of content addresses the right issues, and whether the proposed structure is a helpful one.

Responses are sought by 15 March.