Information Commissioner’s Office sends payment prompts to stores

Stores are being chased for payment by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), according to several letters seen by Better Retailing.

Under the Data Protection Act 2018, most businesses that store personal data, including CCTV footage, must register with the regulator’s data protection register. The annual fee is usually £40-£60. The ICO letters warn of fines of up to £4,000 for non-payment.

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Some stores are reportedly not responding over concerns the letters are fraudulent. Sanjiv Kumar, of Olive Store in Halesowen, Dudley, has been paying the fee as required. He told Better Retailing: “A lot of retailers thought it was a scam.”

The ICO confirmed it was sending letters matching those seen by Better Retailing and told those with concerns to contact the regulator on 0303 123 1113.

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