Privacy Impact Assessments: The UK Experience

31st International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners

11 Pages Posted: 16 May 2010

See all articles by Adam Warren

Adam Warren

Loughborough University

Robin Bayley

Linden Consulting

Colin Bennett

Department of Political Science, University of Victoria

Andrew J. Charlesworth

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Roger Clarke

Xamax Consultancy Pty Ltd; University of New South Wales (UNSW) - UNSW Law & Justice; Australian National University (ANU)

Charles Oppenheim

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: 2009

Abstract

This paper builds on original work undertaken as part of a team of researchers into Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs), defined as a systematic risk assessment tool that can be usefully integrated into decision-making processes. The team were commissioned by the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) in June 2007 to develop a study of PIAs in overseas jurisdictions and a handbook to guide UK organisations through the PIA process. This research has subsequently attracted interest in the UK and overseas. PIAs are now mandatory for all UK central government departments. In this paper, the development of the project team’s PIA methodology and subsequent user experiences led to a key project output, the PIA handbook. The handbook has become a significant part of the privacy ‘toolkit’ and has impacted on public policy. Some important lessons from PIAs conducted in the UK and overseas are identified. Finally, areas are outlined for further development.

Keywords: Data protection, privacy impact, public policy

JEL Classification: I00

Suggested Citation

Warren, Adam and Bayley, Robin and Bennett, Colin and Charlesworth, Andrew J. and Clarke, Roger and Oppenheim, Charles, Privacy Impact Assessments: The UK Experience (2009). 31st International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1606762 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1606762

Adam Warren (Contact Author)

Loughborough University ( email )

Ashby Road
Loughborough, LE11 3HZ
Great Britain

HOME PAGE: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/gy/staff/gyaw/index.html

Robin Bayley

Linden Consulting ( email )

Canada

HOME PAGE: http://lindenconsult.ca/

Colin Bennett

Department of Political Science, University of Victoria ( email )

3800 Finnerty Rd
Victoria, British Columbia V8P 5C2
Canada

HOME PAGE: http://www.colinbennett.ca

Andrew J. Charlesworth

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

Roger Clarke

Xamax Consultancy Pty Ltd ( email )

78 Sidaway St
Chapman, ACT 2611
Australia
+61 2 6288 1472 (Phone)

University of New South Wales (UNSW) - UNSW Law & Justice ( email )

Kensington, New South Wales 2052
Australia

Australian National University (ANU) ( email )

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601
Australia

Charles Oppenheim

affiliation not provided to SSRN

No Address Available

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