Locks and Security News: your weekly locks and security industry newsletter
17th April 2024 Issue no. 701

Your industry news - first

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Leaving for a new job? Don't walk off with personal information

The ICO has warned employees leaving for a new job that taking personal information collected by their former employer with them when they leave is a criminal offence.

The warning comes after a paralegal, who previously worked at a Yorkshire solicitor's firm, was prosecuted for illegally taking the sensitive personal information of over 100 people when leaving for a rival firm. The employee was fined £300 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £438.63. Unlawfully obtaining or accessing personal data is a criminal offence under section 55 of the DPA.

Responding to the ruling, ICO Head of Enforcement, Stephen Eckersley, said; "Employees may think work related documents that they have produced or worked on belong to them and so they're entitled to take them when they leave. But if they include people's details, taking them without permission is breaking the law. Don't risk a day in court."

5th November 2014