SMALL and medium-sized firms across Yorkshire are being urged to check they have the right data protection practices in place.

The warning from the Information Commissioner’s Office comes ahead of Data Protection Day, on January 28.

A recent survey, commissioned by the ICO, showed 91 per cent of people worried about having their personal information sold to other companies without their consent, and 87 per cent worried about a company losing their personal information.

Data protection law sets out what businesses should do to make sure they are looking after people’s personal information properly and fairly.

The ICO has a suite of free resources providing advice and guidance on its dedicated SME hub.

Paul Arnold, chief operating officer, ICO, said: “As we head into a new year, and a tough year for many small businesses, we want to help business owners work confidently and responsibly with the personal information they hold.

“It can be an incredibly valuable asset when held and processed responsibly and can enable hard-working business owners to develop their business, whilst instilling a real sense of confidence in their customers.”

To access the ICO’s SME hub, visit ico.org.uk/for-organisations/sme-web-hub.

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