Giving information to private eyes can sometimes be legal, says privacy watchdog | OUT-LAW.COM

• Giving information to private eyes can sometimes be legal, says privacy watchdog | OUT-LAW.COM

  tags: data protection, privacy, Information Commissioner
  

  • The handing over of personal information is likely to be a breach of the Data Protection Act (DPA) in most cases but if some strict conditions are met, the exchange of information can sometimes be legal, the guidance said.

    Private investigators are hired not only by insurers investigating fraud and by debt collectors, but also to trace missing friends or relatives or the beneficiaries of wills.

    The ICO said that in most cases the (DPA) will prevent organisations from handing out details.

    "[The Act] generally restricts disclosure of personal information to third parties unless an exemption applies," said its advice. "Customers and employees will usually have an expectation that their information will not be disclosed to third parties without good cause."