Department of Health Probe by UK Information Commissioner Launched Due to Private Emails Used for Alleged Official Business

Urian B., Tech Times 07 July 2021, 07:07 am

The Department of Health is now under a probe by the UK Information Commissioner's Office or ICO due to the improper use of private emails and other communication channels by government officials.

The investigation follows Matt Hancock's sudden departure after being caught breaking social distancing guidelines.

UK Information Commissioner Probe Into Department of Health

According to the story by ZDNet, there were concerns raised by the former health secretary and even Lord Bethel about improper channels used to conduct government business. This included the use of private email accounts.

An investigation could also include some other online forms of communication, like the use of WhatsApp.

As per the ICO, on July 6, the UK's Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham stated that the data protection watchdog is currently investigating both the Social Care and Department of Health.

Denham on 'Freedom of Information' Laws and Data Protection

This entertained suggestions that the officials are actually using accounts for them to be able to conduct sensitive information, including official business and deeming it "concerning."

Denham noted that it concerns the public to feel that there could be a loss of transparency when it came to decisions affecting them as well as their loved ones.

The commissioner also noted that as the regulator of freedom of information laws and data protection, it concerned her as well. The Information Commissioner has already served official notices on the department as well as others who could be connected directly to the inquiry and requesting information and the whole preservation of evidence.

ICO Says Transparency is Critical

ICO's official probe will attempt to establish whether or not the government officials have actually used private correspondence channels in ways that have made a clear breach on freedom of information regulations, or even data protection laws.

ICO noted that transparency is very critical to democratic principles.

It was also said that when a government has actually been making decisions over the course of 18 months that have deeply impacted individuals lives, there is a need to maintain security standards and this cannot be overlooked.

Denham further stated that it is through transparenc,y as well as explaining the decisions that people will be able to understand and also trust them.

Denham on Private Correspondence

Denham also noted that the use of private correspondence, in itself, does not directly break freedom of information or even data protection rules. However, the commissioner worries that information in those private email accounts or other messaging services would be overlooked, forgotten, auto deleted, or even not available when a request for freedom of information is made later on.

This would, according to Denham, frustrate the freedom of information process. Denham also noted that this would put a risk to the preservation of official records of decision making. At the end of the statement, Denham concluded that there will be no further comment until the conclusion of their investigative work.

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Written by Urian B.