Jersey data protection consultation: registration and fees

The Jersey Office of the Information Commissioner (JOIC) has published a new consultation paper on a proposed new registration model and fee structure for businesses based in the Island.

The paper makes clear that the proposals, which would implement a new tiered fee structure up to a maximum annual charge of £2,500, are intended to give the JOIC greater financial independence from government.

Whilst this would inevitably see a steep rise in the costs of local compliance for many businesses, the intention to raise revenue through a tax on all organisations rather than a levy on those which fall foul of the law appears to be an equitable and welcome approach.

The paper acknowledges that the policy aim is to reduce the administrative burden of data protection registration, although the question of registration itself (particularly in the context of corporate structures holding only limited personal data) is a matter that will require further consideration.

The consultation will be open until 11 June 2019 and we will be responding in due course. In the meantime, please contact our Jersey data protection team to discuss the proposals in more detail. The Information Commissioner's introduction to the consultation can be accessed here.