Data Protection Guidelines Agreed With Pact

The trade body for independent producers and public service broadcasters, BBC, ITV, Five and Channel 4 have announced a new set of data security guidelines for the production industry.
The guidelines are designed to help producers comply with their obligations under the Data Protection Act (DPA), which provides that production companies are responsible for ensuring they manage and protect personal data properly and in accordance with legislation.
They cover all aspects of data security including collection of and access to personal and sensitive data, policies, exemptions, subject access requests and action to take in the event of a loss of data.
Chief Executive for Pact, John McVay said: "Data security is an increasingly important issue, particularly as new technologies mean data can travel further and faster than ever before. These guidelines help to protect producers from unintended breaches and create consistency and awareness that is beneficial to the industry as a whole."
Jonathan Bamford, Assistant Commissioner, Director of Data Protection Development at the Information Commissioner’s Office commented: "Recent data losses have shown how vulnerable individuals’ personal information can be. Looking after this information responsibly and in accordance with the law cannot be left to chance.
"The publication of the Producers Data Protection and Security Guidelines helps ensure that this will not be the case in an important area.
"The ICO were pleased to participate in the production of the Guidelines and encourages producers to put them into practice. Following the sensible advice in the Guidelines will go a long way towards complying with the law and will be a valuable contribution towards inspiring trust and confidence in how personal information is looked after."
Pact and the broadcasters have run a series of producer events updating them on changes to the DPA and the guidelines, which are available on the Pact website as well as Channel 4's 4Producers.
(BMcN/BMcC)