The ICO organises a Surveillance Society Conference, Press Release - 5th November 2007 Options

[Doktor Jon]

- Press Release -

Date: 5 November 2007

Surveillance Society: Turning debate into action

The future of surveillance and how to deal with the consequences of a surveillance society will be discussed at a conference hosted by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) on 11 December in Manchester.

The conference, ‘Surveillance Society: Turning debate into action’ will launch the ICO’s Privacy Impact Assessment Handbook, a new tool for UK organisations to use when considering the use of personal information and its impact on individuals’ privacy. The ICO will also be presenting the results of research into public attitudes to surveillance.

Last year the Information Commissioner, Richard Thomas, called for a debate on Britain’s emerging surveillance society. The conference in December will address the practical steps that can be taken by the ICO and other organisations to limit unnecessary surveillance.

Other speakers include Gareth Crossman, Director of Policy at Liberty, Professor Martyn Thomas, Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, Phil Carey, Head of Road Pricing Framework Division of the Department for Transport and Professor Colin Bennett from the University of Victoria in Canada.

If you are interested in attending the conference or would like more information,
please visit the ICO website

- ENDS -

If you need more information, please contact the Information Commissioner’s
press office on 020 7025 7580 or visit the website at: www.ico.gov.uk

Notes to Editors
1. The Information Commissioner promotes public access to official information and
protects personal information. The ICO is an independent body with specific
responsibilities set out in the Data Protection Act 1998, the Freedom of Information
Act 2000, Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and Privacy and Electronic
Communications Regulations 2003.
2. For more information about the ICO subscribe to our e-newsletter at www.ico.gov.uk
3. The conference is being held at The Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Street,
Manchester, M2 3WS
4. There is no charge for attendance but places are limited to 130 delegates and will be
allocated strictly on a first come, first served basis.
5. The conference will run from 10:15 until 16:30 followed by a drinks reception until
18:30.