Data Protection Act 2018

ICO launches consultation on the Draft Journalism Code of Practice

The Privacy Perspective1 Comment

The ICO’s consultation on its Draft Journalism Code of Practice has begun.

Be sure to have your say- the deadline to submit responses is 22 January 2022.

The Code covers privacy safeguards among many other topics. In particular, it covers the journalism exemption under the Data Protection Act 2018 and its broad exemption that disapplies requirements to holding and processing data.

Journalism should be balanced with other rights that are also
fundamentally important to democracy, such as data protection and the
right to privacy.

at p.4

The Code substantively addresses the safeguarding of journalism under the exemption, briefly touching on balancing a free press against privacy rights before going on to discuss how this balance is struck under data protection laws:

Why is it important to balance journalism and privacy?


It is widely accepted that a free press, especially a diverse press, is a
fundamental component of a democracy.

It is associated with strong and
important public benefits worthy of special protection. This in itself is a public
interest.

Most obviously, a free press plays a vital role in the free flow of

communications in a democracy. It increases knowledge, informs debates
and helps citizens to participate more fully in society. All forms of journalistic
content can perform this crucial role, from day-to-day stories about local
events to celebrity gossip to major public interest investigations.

A free press is also regarded as a public watch-dog. It acts as an important
check on political and other forms of power, and in particular abuses of
power. In this way, it helps citizens to hold the powerful to account.

However, the right to freedom of expression and information should be
balanced with other rights that are necessary in a democratic society, such
as the right to privacy. The public interest in individual freedom of expression
is itself an aspect of a broader public interest in the autonomy, integrity and
dignity of individuals.

The influence and power of the press in society, and the reach of the

internet, means that it is particularly important to balance journalism and
people’s right to privacy.

This code provides guidance about balancing these two important rights by
helping you to understand what data protection law requires and how to
comply with these requirements effectively.

at p.25

Quotes from caselaw 3: Fairhurst v Woodard (Case No: G00MK161) – A cautionary tale for neigbours implementing surveillance

The Privacy Perspective1 Comment

“I am satisfied that the
extent of range to which these devices can capture audio is well beyond the
range of video that they capture, and in my view cannot be said to be
reasonable for the purpose for which the devices are used by the Defendant,
since the legitimate aim for which they are said to be used, namely crime
prevention, could surely be achieved by something less. A great deal of the
purpose could be achieved without audio at all, as is the case with the bulk
of CCTV systems in use in public places in this country, or by a microphone that only picks up sound within a small diameter of the device.


That finding means that I am satisfied that the processing of such audio
data by the Defendant as data controller is not lawful. The extent of the
range means that personal data may be captured from people who are not
even aware that the device is there, or that it records and processes audio
personal data, or that it can do so from such a distance away, in breach of
the first principle.”

Melissa Clarke HHJ. at p.137

In Fairhurst a neighbour complained that use of several cameras, including a Ring doorbell, amounted to nusiance, harassment and breach of the Data Protection Act 2018.

The claims of harassment and data protection succeeded. It was, in particular, noted that the audio recording capabilities of the devices were much broader in than the video recording capability. As the above quote shows, the extent processing of the audio recording data was such that it was unlawful under data protection laws.

The audio recording capability of the Ring device extended 40-68ft (12-20m).

Amazon released a statement following the finding in the case: “We strongly encourage our customers to respect their neighbours’ privacy and comply with any applicable laws when using their Ring product.”

The case serves as a cautionary tale for those seeking to implement surveillance around their homes that impinge upon their neighbours.

INFORRM has an excellent case comment for interested readers. As does the Guardian.