Data protection fees could rise 20% for firms

All Guernsey companies, including sole traders and landlords, have to pay the registration fees

Companies in Guernsey could pay 20% more for data protection registration fees next year, if proposals from the island's data supervisor are approved.

The Data Protection Authority (DPA), which supervises data protection in Guernsey, wants to increase its fees for the first time since 2021.

The States' Committee for Home Affairs has approved the increase in principle but regulations will still need to be drafted and approved by the States.

If approved, registration fees for businesses with fewer than 50 full-time staff would increase from £50 to £60 from January, while fees for larger businesses will rise from £2,000 to £2,400 a year.

However the DPA said States of Guernsey's fees would be reduced by £50,000 to £250,000 in order to reduce the cost to tax payers.

All Guernsey companies, including landlords and sole traders, who store or work with personal data are required by law to register with the DPA.

This includes any information that may identify individual people such as staff, customers, tenants or suppliers.

Registered charities and not-for-profit organisations also need to register with the DPA but do not pay a fee.

Lower cost for taxpayers

The DPA said the registration fee helped it "operate independently of the States of Guernsey", which it said was crucial in helping Guernsey renewing its "adequacy" status with the European Commission earlier this year.

Rob Prow, president of Home Affairs, said: "The DPA operates independently of the States for good reason and the collection of registration fees is an important element of that independence."

Mr Prow said he was "pleased" the amount the States of Guernsey, "and therefore taxpayers", paid was reduced.