Financial ombudsman told to improve data handling

The Office of the Financial Services Ombudsman was told to improve the way it handles personal data

The data protection authority in Jersey has ordered the financial ombudsman to improve the way it handles personal data.

The order came after a complaint about the Office of the Financial Services Ombudsman's handling of a request regarding access to personal information.

The Jersey Office of the Information Commissioner said an investigation found the response "lacked clarity" and "raised questions regarding transparency and accuracy".

The ombudsman said it regretted the "confusion and doubt" caused to the complainant following the data access request.

The ombudsman said: "This has been treated as a matter of grave importance and highest priority.

"We took immediate steps to put it right.

"We have appointed a new data protection officer, put in place new enhanced policies and procedures, undertaken training with all staff, and committed additional resource and funding to managing such requests."