More than nine out of 10 people worry that organisations
are selling their personal details illegally, according toresearchfrom theInformation
Commissioner's Office (ICO).
The research, based on a national survey with 1,000 respondents,
showed that 94% of individuals are concerned that organisations are
selling their personal details to other organisations without
permission.
"People now consider protecting their personal information as
the second most socially important issue, above the
NHS, national security and environmental issues," the ICO said.
Crime prevention takes top slot.
The ICO said individuals' awareness of their rights under the
Data Protection Act has reached an all-time high. Nine out of 10
people now know they are entitled to ask to see what information an
organisation holds about them, Three years ago, only three out of
four people knew this.
This year's nationwide survey showed 87% of individuals know
they have the right to correct inaccurate personal information held
about them - a 10% rise.
The ICO said nine out of ten adults worry that organisations are
failing to keep their personal information secure, while six in ten
believe they have lost control over the way their personal
information is collected and processed.
Information Commissioner Richard Thomas, said, "By failing to
keep personal information secure, organisations not only risk
losing the trust of their customers but they also risk enforcement
action by my office."