PC World owner DSG found in breach of Data Protection Act

Electronics retailer DSG has been found in breach of the Data Protection Act, after customer credit agreements were left in a skip near one of its PC World stores.

PC World: owner DSG found in breach of Data Protection Act
PC World: owner DSG found in breach of Data Protection Act

Eight completed credit agreements were disposed of in the skip. They contained customers' personal and financial data, and were found by the local authority's environmental health department.

The Information Commissioner's Office investigated the case and found that the documents had not only been kept for longer than is recommended, but had not been disposed of in an appropriate method.

Documents of a sensitive nature are meant to be transported to a central location in sealed containers and then shredded securely.

DSG's chief executive, John Browett, has now signed a formal undertaking, binding the company to taking a number of steps to ensure such a failure does not happen again. This includes reviewing security procedures and providing staff training.

Mick Gorrill, head of enforcement at the ICO, said: "Any organisation collecting and holding personal information needs to ensure that information is kept and disposed of safely and securely.

"Staff need to be aware of policies and it is essential they receive appropriate training to follow them."

DSG had not responded to a request for a comment at the time of publication.

Market Reports

Get unprecedented new-business intelligence with access to ±±¾©Èü³µpk10’s new Advertising Intelligence Market Reports.

Find out more

Enjoying ±±¾©Èü³µpk10’s content?

 Get unlimited access to ±±¾©Èü³µpk10’s premium content for your whole company with a corporate licence.

Upgrade access

Looking for a new job?

Get the latest creative jobs in advertising, media, marketing and digital delivered directly to your inbox each day.

Create an alert now

Partner content