Data Breaches (Consumer Protection) Debate

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Data Breaches (Consumer Protection)

Peter Bone Excerpts
Monday 26th October 2015

(8 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Vaizey of Didcot Portrait Mr Vaizey
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This is not a case of the Government simply issuing a strategy and forgetting about it: we constantly engage with businesses, trade associations and professional services that can do a huge amount to advise their clients. However, I will take the right hon. Lady’s question in the spirit in which it was asked, because we can—and should—constantly engage with businesses on this issue. We will certainly consider any changes in legislation that she thinks necessary, and keep the issue under review.

Peter Bone Portrait Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con)
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The suggestion by the Chair of the Home Affairs Committee that most of these attacks come from the European Union means that I can blame the European Union for something more, although probably unfairly in this case. More seriously, constituents are getting calls and emails from companies that apparently need to talk to them because of the TalkTalk situation. Those companies say, “So that we know we are talking to the right person, can we have your address and date of birth?” What is the Minister’s advice to my constituents?

Lord Vaizey of Didcot Portrait Mr Vaizey
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This case has achieved a great deal of publicity, and common sense tells us that people will somehow try to scam off the back of it. My advice to my hon. Friend’s constituents is to put the phone down. If hon. Members have an issue with a constituent who feels that this matter is not being taken seriously, they are welcome to contact me.