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Guernsey’s governing body for fencing has been slapped by the island's data protection watchdog for failures in processing personal data.
The Office of the Data Protection Authority (ODPA) started an investigation into the Guernsey Union D’Escrime LBG (GUE) after it received a complaint from a family who were trying to complete a ‘data subject access request’.
“The family requested information about the GUE’s involvement with the minor, due to safeguarding concerns which have caused anxiety and distress to the data subject,” said the ODPA.
“The GUE sought guidance from the Authority when it first received the request, in order to understand its responsibilities. However, when it became clear that these had not been properly fulfilled, the Authority was disappointed by the GUE’s apparent reluctance during the course of the investigation to accept advice.”
A ‘data subject access request’ entitles someone to all the information held by an organisation about them.
“In this instance the data subject was a minor and the request was made by a parent on their behalf,” continued the ODPA.
The Authority said the investigation was protracted due to the GUE being asked repeatedly for information. When the data was finally handed over the GUE “was unable to justify” its delay. The GUE provided the information requested to the family 237 days after the original data subject access request.
The Authority said the GUE had broken the law by not providing the relevant information within a set deadline. The Authority has emphasised that adhering to the data protection law is especially important when it involves minors.
The Authority has since issued an enforcement order, which requires the GUE to address its shortcomings within three months.
The GUE didn't appeal the order, but did say the sanction was 'unfair'.
The full notice can be found here.
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