What data protection issues do we need to consider as lockdown is eased?

Next Monday the 18th of May, Ireland begins the first of 5 phases of the easing of lockdown restrictions. Some companies have been advised to gather people’s personal data more so than usual, to facilitate perhaps contact tracing or making appointments to ensure social distancing. So here are a few things to consider about that gathering of additional personal data.

Staff taking customer contact details

There’s been reports that some restaurants may take the names and telephone numbers of every member of a party that attends the restaurant, such that contact tracing may be facilitated. There was a story that has emerged out of the US where a restaurant worker has made unwelcome advances towards a female customer, by calling her on her mobile number. So be careful about what staff have access to that data.

Secure website booking forms

Also I’ve become aware of riding schools are opening up as they are outside activities. Some of them are taking bookings online, on their websites. You need to make sure that those websites are secure. That there is a certificate on the site. That there is a padlock. So check that.

Health screening of customers

Finally there was another establishment that has installed thermal imaging cameras to screen customers walking in the door. Now that is processing sensitive personal data because that temperature data would be considered a special category of data. So there would absolutely have to be a data protection impact assessment carried out on that setup. Watch out for any kind of health screening you might plan to do.

So that’s it for this week. Let’s be careful out there and we’ll talk to you again next week.

Follow us on Social media:

Liam is available on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Follow L2 Cyber on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

© L2 Cyber Security Solutions

The post #WeekendWisdom 028 Data Protection as Lockdown is eased. appeared first on L2 Cyber Security Solutions Ltd..