What the **** is the ICO and why do they want me to pay £40

[eetherington]

Hi,

I received a letter today saying I need to pay an annual fee to the ICO, so I go on the eligibility checker and it turns out I have to pay. I read through all the information that they have put on their website about what they do but it still doesn't justify the reason for billing me. I will never ever need to use them and I can't see what they do anyway. Looks like a stealth tax to me. Has anyone had any experience in what they actually do?

/rant.

 

[kulture]

I suggest that you read their web site again. Clearly you missed the bit where they say who they are and what they do. If you don't want to pay them, then stop keeping the information you clearly are keeping. If you don't like paying then lobby your MP and get the law changed.

 

[Higgsy]

If you want to hold data/information on others you need to register. If you don’t want to register, don’t hold information or wait for a fine.

My ex business partner, knew nothing about business; didn’t know what expenses/organisations were a requirement, they went off and started on their own, didn’t register and received a warning.

 

[Clinton]

Forget the ICO, there's another con going around, they call themselves HMRC. When they write to you, send them a Cease and Desist from your lawyer. Enough is enough, I say!

 

[Mr D]

Forget the ICO, there's another con going around, they call themselves HMRC. When they write to you, send them a Cease and Desist from your lawyer. Enough is enough, I say!

HMRC can also turn up on your doorstep.
Scary in a way - from a previous phonecall we know they visited and left a letter. Except it wasn't our house they visited or left letter at!
They are still investigating that, may have to involve beyond them regarding data given out.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

HMRC can also turn up on your doorstep.
Scary in a way - from a previous phonecall we know they visited and left a letter. Except it wasn't our house they visited or left letter at!
They are still investigating that, may have to involve beyond them regarding data given out.

What you scared of @Mr D .What are they going to do when they get there . I would be more worried if Mike Tysoe turned up

 

[Mark T Jones]

I’m kind of with the OP

I get the need and purpose, but boy are they milking it as a stealth tax

 

[Mr D]

I’m kind of with the OP

I get the need and purpose, but boy are they milking it as a stealth tax

If its a demand for money up front its hardly a stealth tax.

 

[Alison Moore]

Information Commissioners Office with whom you have to register to demonstrate how you are going to handle people's data in line with GDPR. The ICO claim their fee is an expense to fund their services, but yes it's just another way to getting money out of businesses. It's a legal requirement if you handle people's data (even if you just have their name) so you have to register I'm afraid. Be warned though, there have been scams of this sort of thing so make sure you are dealing with ICO direct and not a scam company.

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

Is there a distinction for payment between Data Controllers and Data Processors?