Advocate Colin Weapond from the Information Regulator followed, giving us a deep dive into the Protection of Personal Information Act (PoPI) and its impact on the debt review industry.
Two things were on display during his speech (he said he does not do jokes and had a more informational manner than Gavin).
First, Colin really has a passion for the PoPI Act. Much like how Debt Counsellors can rattle off various paragraphs and references to parts of the NCA, so too can he jump from point to point in the PoPI Act.
Secondly, it is clear that the Information Regulator has a mammoth task on hand and the Act is slowly going through the growing pains seen in the past with Acts like the NCA.
He emphasized how PoPI has already led to better data protection, with more focus on safeguarding sensitive consumer information.
He also touched on security breaches and the first fine issued under the Act, offering some advice on marketing and contacting people. As with any newer Act there has been debate about the meaning of various words and section including things like: do telephone calls (cold sales calls) fall under the Act?
We can expect a guidance note soon, which will clarify the Regulator’s interpretation of various aspects of the Act.