News that a journalist allegedly tapped mobile phone calls of Bri...
News that a journalist allegedly tapped mobile phone calls of Britain’s royal family brought a swift response Wed. from the country’s privacy czar. As word filtered out that News of the World royal editor Clive Goodman was in custody…
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while Scotland Yard’s antiterrorism branch investigated whether he and others intercepted calls from the royal household, including those of Prince Charles, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) said it “takes breaches of privacy very seriously.” Although any prosecution for interception of communications would likely fall under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act rather than the Data Protection Act (DPA), the ICO said it stands ready to help the police if needed. In a May report, What Price Privacy?, the ICO notified Parliament of “evidence of a widespread and organized undercover market in confidential personal information.” Among the buyers are journalists ferreting out stories by getting hold of people’s unlisted phone numbers and call records, the ICO said. Current DPA penalties aren’t sufficient to deter “this lucrative and widespread illegal trade,” said the office, which called on the govt. to boost fines and jail time. The Dept. of Constitutional Affairs is seeking public feedback on the proposal. The ICO said it has the names of more than 300 reporters implicated in the illegal trade of private information. “We have given them a clear warning that we will not hesitate to take action if they are suspected in future of committing offenses.”