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January 6, 2020
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January 31, 2020
ICO data protection fee campaign launches
In early December, the ICO data protection fee campaign launched to remind UK registered businesses to pay their data protection fee. If you haven’t paid yours already, you need to get on and do so fast…
The ICO is largely funded by the data protection fee and expects to collect over £46million in fee payments this financial year.
Who is the ICO?
The Information Commissioners Office, known as the ICO, is an independent body that upholds information rights in the UK. As the UK regulator, the ICO oversees all aspects of data protection including the fee register, data protection legislation, guidance on data protection and the use of technology as well as any complaints.The ICO is largely funded by the data protection fee and expects to collect over £46million in fee payments this financial year.
What is the ICO data protection fee?
The ICO data protection fee was introduced in May 2018 as part of the Data Protection Act 2018 which sits alongside the General Data Protection Regulation. All organisations that process personal data are required to pay a data protection fee to the regulator unless they are, in certain specific circumstances, exempt.
All those who have paid their data protection fee are listed on the register of fee payers maintained by the ICO. Anybody can check the data protection public register at any time to so see whether a business is paid up.
The ICO’s data protection fee campaign
The data protection fee campaign is part of an ‘extensive programme’ to make sure that those who should pay the data protection fee, do so.Gerrard Fisher, Managing Director, Astrid says: “The ICO’s team and workload grew massively as a result of GDPR and we believe it’s only receiving a fraction of what it should be from UK businesses. As a result, it’s not really surprising that the ICO has launched this campaign. Our advice to businesses is to pay up now – don’t wait for the ICO to contact you.”
What to do if you haven’t paid your data protection fee to the ICO
If you haven’t paid your fee:- Check whether you are exempt from paying a data protection fee using the ICO self-assessment checker
- If you are exempt, complete the ICO data protection fee exemption form to ensure that the ICO registers your exemption and doesn’t write to you
- If you aren’t exempt, pay your data protection fee online without delay
About Astrid
Astrid is a secure online platform that makes data protection compliance simple. Developed with small businesses in mind, we provide you all the tools and guidance you need to become and remain compliant with data protection legislation. Find out more about our services.Subscribe now to get your small business compliant and safeguard your reputation, your finances and your business. With prices starting from £225 a year, it’s a small price to pay to protect yourself from potential prosecution and penalty fees.
