Poole Council is to be probed by the Information Commissioner's Office after allegations that it has secretly collected personal information in breach of data protection laws. The case is the latest involving controversial use the 2000 Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) to monitor and fine people suspected of criminal activities. David Smith, deputy information commissioner, said: ‘The ICO has some concerns about the surveillance that has taken place in Poole. It seems that in at least some cases the surveillance has involved the covert collection of personal information about those individuals under scrutiny.' Poole has used the Act 17 times since 2005. A spokesman for Poole Council said: ‘The council has not yet received a formal request from the Information Commissioner's Office and cannot comment further at this stage without first establishing the nature of the commissioner's inquiry.'
