data protection

Virtuelles Datenschutzbüro

German portal project to provide advice and support relating to data protection and freedom of information to both commercial and personal users. Users can choose from a selection of keywords which both lead to a collection of full text documents, including relevant German legislation, and provide a gateway to resources on other sites. It is also possible to search the site using Boolean operators. The project offers a wide range of training events and details are provided.

Act Now Training

Act Now is a company providing training courses in freedom of information and data protection issues. The site offers a selection of free resources including online articles on data protection, Freedom of information and on the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) which governs the way local authorities use CCTV. 

Data Protection Register

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.

European Commission: Data Protection

This part of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Justice website deals with data protection in the European Union. There is a guide to download outlining EU citizens’ rights regarding data protection and information relating to Directive 95/46/EC (the data protection Directive). The site also has EU legislation and case law, links to national legislation and to data protection regulatory bodies in EU and EFTA member states.

Privacy International

Privacy International is a London-based NGO dedicated to protecting the right to privacy worldwide. It carries out research, monitors surveillance technologies and raises awareness of threats to privacy. The organisation's website describes its current projects and makes available its research reports, including detailed reports on privacy and surveillance in more than 40 countries. A blog and a Twitter feed are also available.

Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC)

The website of the Swiss Data Protection Commissioner, in German, French, Italian or English. The English version includes basic information on data protection in Switzerland, an information sheet on unsolicited emails, selected Council of Europe texts, extracts from the Commissioner's annual report, and recent press releases. The full text of the Federal Law on Data Protection of 1992 is included. The German version contains all of these, as well as some recommendations of the Commissioner.

Information Commissioner's Office

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.

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