Quizzes & Puzzles1 min ago
Data Protection Act
Hi everyone, I understand that if a government worker passes confidential information to a third party, that is breaking the law through a breach of the principles of the data protection act. But what is the position of the "third party" who willingly receives the information? Would that person be considered to be complicit in breaking the law? Many thanks
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.I think it would depend. There may be an argument if they knowingly received the confidential information or asked for it, but if the person with the information just told it to them or said "look at this" then they might not know it was confidential even after they knew the information or they might have realised once they heard/saw the information but of course you can't unsee or un hear it. Of course, however they get hold of it, if they use it or pass it on once they know its confidential then they are in the do do too.
blimey people have short memories
Nothing to do with data protection
After Ponting admitted revealing the information, the Ministry of Defence suspended Ponting without pay.[6] On 17 August 1985, he was charged with a criminal offence under Section 2 of the Official Secrets Act of 1911.[7][6] The Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, had his pay reinstated once she had been briefed on what had happened.[6] Ponting's defence at the trial was that the matter and its disclosure to a Member of Parliament was in the public interest.[7] This was the first case under the Official Secrets Act that involved giving information to Parliament.
Nothing to do with data protection
After Ponting admitted revealing the information, the Ministry of Defence suspended Ponting without pay.[6] On 17 August 1985, he was charged with a criminal offence under Section 2 of the Official Secrets Act of 1911.[7][6] The Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, had his pay reinstated once she had been briefed on what had happened.[6] Ponting's defence at the trial was that the matter and its disclosure to a Member of Parliament was in the public interest.[7] This was the first case under the Official Secrets Act that involved giving information to Parliament.