Data protection legislation

Published on: 10 March 2015

Question type: Written

Asked by: Sam Mézec

Answered by: Chief Minister

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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE CHIEF MINISTER

BY DEPUTY S.Y. MÉZEC OF ST. HELIER ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 10th MARCH 2015

Question

Can the Chief Minister inform members whether he intends to review the provisions of the current law in Jersey governing libellous statements or breaches of data protection made on social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter, and if not, why not?

Does the Chief Minister intend to introduce provision under data protection legislation to hold an individual responsible for a breach which occurs on a Facebook "group page" which they administer and, if not, why not?

Does the Chief Minister also intend to introduce provision to enable Jersey authorities to obtain the actual identity of persons using a pseudonym or false name for their social media account so that action can be pursued when libellous statements and made or breaches of data protection are committed, and if not, why not?

Answer

The areas of law highlighted in the question (and similar) are currently under review, and a Green Paper is being drafted to consult the public on potential changes to the law.

Should such a review and consultation conclude that legislative measures are necessary, I intend that draft legislation be brought before the States Assembly for debate.