The Data Protection Register is available on the Information Commissioner’s website. The register contains the name and address of organisations that process personal information along with a general description of the kind of processing they do. The register is searchable by organisation name, registration number, address or postcode.
The UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) enforces the Data Protection Act 1998 and is also responsible for freedom of information. The main functions of the ICO are the promotion of good information handling and the encouragement of best practice in the processing of personal data. The site offers guidance to the Data Protection Act and the Freedom of Information Act with information on specific topics including medical records, CCTV, junk mail and social networking.
The Foundation for Information Policy Research (FIPR) is a UK organisation that works in the area of "... promoting, encouraging, commissioning and conducting research into the present and possible future effects on the general public (including economic, social and moral effects and effects on health and well-being) of developments in information technology ... " The organisation has an independent board of trustees and an advisory council that includes members from both the academic and private sectors.
The Project on Government Secrecy has been set up by the Federation of American Scientists to challenge excessive government secrecy and to promote public oversight and Freedom of Information in the USA. The site provides details of the project and campaign successes. There is access to a government secrecy blog, Bush administration secrecy blog, declassification strategies, delcassified US government documents and other FOIA resources.
