Firms must comply with data laws
Jun 3 2009 by Gill Hunter, The Journal
COMMERCIAL law firm Muckle LLPhas launched a new website review service to help regional firms ensure they comply with current legislation and avoid a £5,000 fine, or even criminal liability.
Offered in response to a call from The Information Commissioner’s Office for businesses to review and amend their online small print, the service will help North East businesses meet the legal requirements for personal data under current data protection law.
Gill Hunter, partner and head of the intellectual property and technology team at Muckle LLP, said: “Businesses which collect personal information from their websites in any way, including storing or transferring the data to third parties without informing users how their data will be used, are in breach of data protection legislation. This can carry hefty fines or even criminal liability in some cases.
“Muckle has a great deal of expertise in advising on all aspects of web activity and our new website review service offers support to North East businesses to help them avoid falling foul of relevant legislation.”
Current legislation states that organisations have an obligation to ensure visitors to their websites are aware of how personal data which they submit to the site, including names and contact details, will be used.
Recent research from YouGov revealed that half of all consumers are unable to understand online contracts and privacy statements and Muckle LLP’s new website review service has been designed to provide guidance for businesses on how to provide clear plain English information which meets the legislative requirements, but also protects their interests.
Any organisation using emails from its website for marketing purposes generally needs to request specific consent from the user through an ‘opt in’ facility. Businesses also need to ensure that privacy statements on websites inform the user where cookies are being used to monitor visits to the site.
Gill Hunter, partner and head of the intellectual property and technology team at Muckle LLP
