Last chance to register or renew with ODPA to avoid penalties

The Office of the Data Protection Authority’s (ODPA) annual registration window closes at the end of February, and the ODPA is reminding all organisations to renew or register by then in accordance with the legal obligation under The Data Protection (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2017.

This applies to anyone working with information, facts and even opinions about living people, provided the activity is not part of your personal/household affairs.

Organisations which fail to register with the ODPA are breaking the law and potentially risk appearing in the Petty Debts Court.

Last month the ODPA successfully took several companies to court for the non-payment of registration fees.

To register with the Authority, visit www.odpa.gg/registration by 29 February 2024.

The annual registration fee is based on the number of ‘full-time equivalent’ staff in each organisation and is unchanged from last year: £2,000 per year for organisations with 50 or more full-time equivalent staff, and £50 for all other entities.

“These levies enable the Authority to fulfil its mandate as the Bailiwick’s independent Data Protection regulator, ensuring a high level of protection for the privacy rights of Guernsey’s residents” said Commissioner Brent Homan.

Charities and non-profit organisations can register free of charge.