Back the Act: MPs turn spotlight on data protection watchdog

The UK Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) could come under scrutiny from the Trade & Industry Select Committee next month, over its ability to safeguard consumers' online personal details.

Responding to silicon.com's 'Back the Act' campaign, Select Committee chairman Martin O'Neill MP yesterday said he will talk to the DPC, the British Bankers Association and the e-envoy's office about the recent incidents at Powergen and Barclays.

"We will have to look into [the DPC's] work," O'Neill told silicon.com. "We had the registrar [Elizabeth France] before us 18 months ago - it's about time for her to come before us again."

Speaking from his constituency in Ochil, Scotland, the Labour MP said online security is of paramount importance. "We want to get the problem solved as soon as possible. If there are fears over online security it could have a detrimental effect, on not just the company concerned, but online commerce in the UK."

According to O'Neill, if the DTI Select Committee decides to launch an investigation and finds evidence of a lack of funding for the DPC, it will demand answers from the government.

O'Neill will also take his concerns over data protection to the government's e-envoy, Alex Allan, at a meeting in November. "The e-envoy is the government's person on all matters relating to ecommerce," he said.

Speaking to silicon.com in July, shortly after the Powergen scandal broke, Allan was reluctant to commit to government action on the issue. "I accept that trust in handling data is an important part of ecommerce, and certainly we do have structures set up. But I'm not going to leap in and say the government must do more regulation," he said.

"It's not just about government regulation," he continued, "it is in the firm's commercial interests [to hold data securely]."

Jim Norton, head of ecommerce at the Institute of Directors, said an investigation by the DTI Select Committee was vital. "We regard it as essential that a climate of trust is created, especially in the business-to-consumer market."

He added: "One key element of that trust is the belief that many organisations play fast and loose with customer data. It's important to all that there is a credible regulator to assist in creating that trust."

silicon.com is currently running a campaign to force the government to give the Data Protection Commissioner the resources she needs to enforce to Date Protection Act. To air your views or support the petition, email Backtheact@silicon.com .