Costly fine for employee who disclosed personal data

The Information Commissioner’s Office has fined a former health care assistant £1,715 after they pleaded guilty to unlawfully obtaining personal data belonging to patients and sharing with others, without a business reason to do so.

The breach of patient confidentiality and an unlawful act under the Data Protection Act, is a warning to employees that they can’t just access and share information when they feel like it and a reminder to employers to have a clear policy in place.