Financial Ombudsman Ordered to Strengthen Data Management Practices

The Jersey data protection authority has directed the island’s financial ombudsman to strengthen its handling of personal data.

The order followed a complaint concerning how the Office of the Financial Services Ombudsman managed a request for access to personal information.

According to the Jersey Office of the Information Commissioner, an investigation found that the ombudsman’s response “lacked clarity” and “raised questions regarding transparency and accuracy.”

In a statement, the ombudsman expressed regret over the “confusion and doubt” caused to the complainant, describing the issue as one of “grave importance and highest priority.”

“We took immediate steps to put it right,” the ombudsman said. “We have appointed a new data protection officer, implemented enhanced policies and procedures, provided staff training, and allocated additional resources and funding to managing such requests.”