UK data regulator takes enforcement action to rein in data brokers' use of people's personal data

guest · Oct 27, 2020

Experian: Credit agency told to stop sharing data without consent
October 27, 2020
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-54706066

The firm sold on the data to businesses that used it to identify who could afford goods and services, as well as to political parties.

The company must make "fundamental changes" to how it handles data or face a huge fine, the watchdog said.
Experian has said it will appeal.

"We believe the ICO [Information Commissioner's Office]'s view goes beyond the legal requirements," the Dublin-based firm said in a statement.
The company now has nine months to satisfy the regulator or face fines of up to £20m, or 4% of its global turnover, whichever is higher.
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'Invisible processing'
The two-year investigation was prompted by a complaint from the campaign group Privacy International.

It found that Experian and two other credit reference agencies - Equifax and TransUnion - did a significant amount of "invisible" processing of data, meaning that people did not know it was happening.
The report found that the agencies had access to the data of almost every adult in the UK, which was then "screened, traded, profiled, enriched, or enhanced to provide direct marketing services".
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Privacy International's executive director said other countries should carry out follow-up investigations of their own.

"As the UK regulator notes, people don't even know the names of most of these companies and yet they hold everyone's data," said Gus Hosein.
"We believe the deck is stacked against people and this can't continue."
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ICO: ICO takes enforcement action against Experian after data broking investigation

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) orders the credit reference agency Experian Limited to make fundamental changes to how it handles people’s personal data within its direct marketing services.
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Privacy International: UK data regulator takes enforcement action to rein in data brokers' use of people's personal data
Privacy International: Q&A on UK regulator's action on data brokers

The UK data protection regulator took action against three credit reference agencies. Here we explain why it's important and what's next.
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UK data regulator takes enforcement action to rein in data brokers' use of people's personal data

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