I don't really follow this line of thinking. The judgement on Durant may limit the definition of personal data, but it doesn't obscure the concept completely. There is still plenty of personal data to be protected, especially if you're in the public sector where we are being driven hard towards a future where more data is stored automatically. Durant complicates matters, it doesn't simplify them, and simplicity in Data Protection is the only thing that could ever put DP officers out of work. Organisations might be able to provide less information in response to a subject access request, but given current expectations, if we try to limit the amount we give out too severely, we'll be challenged and harassed. This process will require the good offices of a DP officer to sort out. And nothing in Durant removes the duty under DP to protect data as described in the principles. If we all start to play fast and loose with people's data on the basis that Durant means never having to say you're sorry, we'll be lynched.

To be honest, when I read the Durant judgement, and everything I've read about it since has confirmed me in this view, my first thought was that as a DP officer, I would never be out of work.

Tim Turner
Data and Information Security Officer
Derbyshire County Council
Tel: 01629 580000 ext 7373

> -----Original Message-----
> From: This list is for those interested in Data Protection issues [SMTP:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Tony Bowden
> Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2004 6:44 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [data-protection] OIC and Durant
>
>
> Under this new approach, I suspect that most organisations will be able
> to relax their DPA procedures significantly, and that many of those
> currently employed in full-time Data Protection roles could be out of
> a job within a year.
>
> Tony
>
>
> Tony
>
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