January 28, 2019

The ICO has published its proposed strategy for the next three years and is inviting comments to help inform a final version to be launched later in 2019.

The ICO says that more and more people are asking it to independently review decisions made by public authorities about their requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act or the Environmental Information Regulations.

The ICO’s vision is to increase the public’s confidence in organisations that process personal data and in those responsible for making public information available. Amid concerns about the impacts of fake news, being able to access accurate and timely public information assumes increasing importance.

The regulator is proposing five high-level priorities for the strategy to:

• work in partnership to improve standards of openness, transparency and participation among public authorities in a digital age;
• provide excellent customer service to members of the public and public authorities and lead by example in fulfilling its statutory functions;
• raise awareness of access to information rights and make it even easier for the public to exercise their rights;
• promote the reform of access to information legislation so it remains fit for purpose; and
• develop and sustain its international collaboration.

The draft strategy recognises that there is still a need for further cultural change in the way some public authorities approach access to information rights. It sets out how the ICO can make more use of all its powers to respond to individual requests for information as well as shine a light on systemic failings. It also sets out how the ICO will tackle issues of non-compliance among public authorities, especially around issues of timeliness and the quality of their responses to information requests.

To be fully effective, the ICO says that access to information legislation needs to remain fit for purpose. It will continue to make the case, for example, for reform to the scope of freedom of information legislation in relation to the provision of outsourced services.

The consultation closes on 8 March 2019. To access the consultation, click here.