The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has warned employees that walking off with the personal information of their employer when changing jobs is a criminal offence. This comes after a paralegal, who previously worked at Jordans Solicitors, was prosecuted for illegally taking the sensitive information of over 100 people, contained in six emails, before leaving for a rival firm. Pickles had hoped to use the information, which included workload lists, file notes and template documents containing sensitive personal data, in his new role. Pickles was prosecuted under S.55 of the Data Protection Act, which makes it a criminal offence to unlawfully obtain or access personal data, and fined £300 and ordered to pay £438.63 prosecution costs. Employers are advised to remind employees of the serious consequences of taking personal information without the permission the employer, when leaving the organisation.

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