03 April 2020 - ICO guidance on responding to FOI and data requests
ICO guidance on responding to FOI and data requests
Several universities have raised concerns with Universities UK regarding managing Freedom of Information (FOI) and other information requests during a period of staff absence and other priorities due to the current situtation. The ICO has said in its blog that it recognises the unprecedented challenges all are facing during this time and that resources, whether they are finances or people, may be diverted away from usual compliance or information rights work.
Whilst they currently have no plans to extend statutory timescales, the ICO have confirmed they will not be penalising public authorities for prioritising other areas or adapting their usual approach during this extraordinary period. The ICO have also published a short Q&A about data protection and the virus. Ucisa will keep abreast of updates from UUK and ICO on this issue.
