WATCH: Good data protection 'key' for client trust

Thursday 07 February 2019

Good data protection is crucial for helping companies maintain the trust and confidence of their clients, the Information Commissioner has emphasised.

Dr Jay Fedorak's comments came as part of Jersey's inaugural Data Protection Week, which saw over 700 people - including consumers, professionals from a variety of sectors, business owners and charities - attend events organised by his office (JOIC).

Trust was a key theme throughout the week, as Dr. Fedorak explained: “Good data protection helps companies to maintain the trust and confidence of their clients, customers and investors; something that is essential for Jersey given the nature of its economy and its dependence on financial services with international clientele.

"As such, JOIC’s role is to ensure that businesses are applying appropriate levels of data protection, and to advise them what else they need to be doing to demonstrate this.”

Video: Dr Fedorak talks about what rights individuals have under the new legislation.

Dr. Fedorak urged anyone who has a concern or query about data not to sit on it, but to seek advice from the JOIC or the Jersey Data Protection Association.

“It is really important for individuals to know what their information rights are under the new legislation," he said.

"They have the opportunity to request access to their data, whether it’s being held by public authorities or by companies and to question representatives of public authorities and companies whenever their data is being collected, if they believe that some of the data that is being collected isn’t necessary for the service that is being provided to them.

"They should be aware they have the right to complain to our office if they believe their data has been processed improperly."  

Pictured: Over 700 attended the data protection-themed talks.

Advocate Davida Blackmore, Partner at Callington Chambers, who presented at several talks during the week, commented: “Data protection has never been more relevant than it is today. It is clear that organisations which are willing to invest the time and energy in getting their data protection strategy right will reap the rewards in terms of customer confidence."