ICO ANNUAL TRACK TOPLINE FINDINGS SEPTEMBER 2014

● GE was most ‘three-cornered’ election since 1920s ● Televised debates were major political mistake ● LD average under Clegg <18% until campaign began SURVEY CONDUCTED ONLINE BETWEEN 15 th and 21 st AUGUST TOTAL NUMBERS OF RESPONDENTS UKENGLANDSCOTLANDWALES NORTHERN IRELAND DPA1,5751, FOIA1,4221, TOTAL2,9972,

● GE was most ‘three-cornered’ election since 1920s ● Televised debates were major political mistake ● LD average under Clegg <18% until campaign began SAMPLE PROFILE – EQUALITY & DIVERSITY 3 TOTAL NUMBERS OF RESPONDENTS WOMENBMEDISABLED18-24 DPA FOIA TOTAL1,

SOCIAL ISSUES 4

PERSONAL INFORMATION STILL A KEY ISSUE % ranking as top three social issue 7 th 10 th

DATA PROTECTION 6

BROAD RANGE OF CONCERNS ABOUT PERSONAL DATA Which of the following are you concerned about? Organisations holding…

TWO THIRDS FEEL THEY HAVE LOST CONTROL OVER PERSONAL DATA 8 Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? “You have lost control over the way your information is collected and processed.” 63% AGREE 13% DISAGREE

WIDE RANGE OF CONCERNS ABOUT ORGANISATIONS HOLDING INFORMATION 9 % of people “very” + “fairly” concerned about the following issues…

FINANCIAL INFORMATION FAR MORE SENSITIVE THAN ANY OTHER FORM 10 How sensitive do you consider the following to be?

ONLINE COMPANIES AND THOSE DEALT WITH INFREQUENTLY CAUSE THE MOST CONCERN 11 Most concern Least concern

PERSONAL INFORMATION BEING LOST / STOLEN AND UNSOLICITED CONTACT ARE MAIN CONCERNS 12 % of people “very” + “fairly” concerned about the following issues…

MOST HAVE HEARD LITTLE OR NOTHING ABOUT THE EU “GOOGLE” RULING 13 Awareness of Court of Justice ruling Likelihood to use this right 25% LIKELY 39% UNLIKELY

MOST PEOPLE SAY THEY TAKE A RANGE OF DIFFERENT STEPS TO PROTECT INFORMATION 14 Which of the following steps do you take?

ONE IN EIGHT ADULTS HAS REQUESTED TO SEE PERSONAL INFORMATION 15 Uptake of personal data rights Situations likely to lead to a request

A COMBINATION OF FIVE MAIN CONTACT MODES IS PREFERRED FOR RECEIVING ADVICE 16 How would you prefer to receive advice and guidance on your rights?

FOUR IN FIVE (81%) APPROVE OF THE INTRODUCTION OF A CERTIFICATION MARK 17 Would you approve or disapprove of a certification mark being introduced?

FOUR IN FIVE (82%) SAY IT IS IMPORTANT TO TEACH ABOUT DATA PROTECTION IN SCHOOLS 18 How important is it that personal information rights are taught in schools?

MAJORITY BELIEVE IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE INDEPENDENT REGULATOR OF DATA PROTECTION 19 How important is it that the DPA regulator is independent of Government?

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION 20

OPINIONS MIXED ON THE AVAILABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY OF INFORMATION 21 Do you agree or disagree that … ? “Information you want about the Government and other public authorities is available and accessible.”

NEARLY ONE IN TEN ADULTS HAS REQUESTED TO SEE INFORMATION HELD BY GOVERNMENT 22 Uptake of FOIA rights Situations likely to lead to a request

NEARLY HALF (48%) SAY IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR F.O.I.A. TO COVER PRIVATE CONTRACTORS 23 How important is it that private companies acting on behalf of public authorities should be subject to the Freedom of Information Act?

OVER HALF (53%) WOULD PREFER TO RECEIVE ADVICE ON F.O.I.A. THROUGH A WEBSITE 24 How would you prefer to receive advice and guidance on your rights?

NEARLY TWO THIRDS (63%) SAY IT IS IMPORTANT TO TEACH ABOUT F.O.I.A. IN SCHOOLS 25 How important is it that freedom of information rights are taught in schools?

ACCOUNTABILITY, TRANSPARENCY, AND IMPROVED PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE ARE KEY BENEFITS 26 Being able to access information held by public authorities…

MAJORITY BELIEVE IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE INDEPENDENT REGULATOR OF F.O.I.A. 27 How important is it that the FOIA regulator is independent of Government?