The ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office) have recently launched a new campaign to help people understand why they should “Be Data Aware”. How companies like ours use their data to provide a service, market and target the public. This can include direct mail, social media adverts & campaigns to market goods and services.
Seventy Homes is registered with the ICO and as part of the registration, we undergo training and guidance on processes and procedures. We learn how and when we can use the data we control, how to manage it and safely store it.
One of the recommendations from the ICO is to ensure everyone understands how technology changes and how their data is gathered by websites and social media. Developing technology can make it hard for the public to keep track of data analysis.
The commission has said “Our goal is to effect change and ensure confidence in our democratic system. And that can only happen if people are fully aware of how organisations are using their data, particularly if it happens behind the scenes.”
“New technologies and data analytics provide persuasive tools that allow campaigners to connect with customer and voters, target messages directly at them based on their likes, swipes and posts. But this cannot be at the expense of transparency, fairness and compliance with the law”
The ICO plays an important role as the UK’s independent regulator for data protection and information rights law, promoting openness and transparency of data privacy for individuals.
