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Is the government’s secretive ‘Clearing House’ lawful? An expert explains

When government departments share the names of people making freedom of information requests, they may be breaking data protection rules

By Jon Baines
Is the government’s secretive ‘Clearing House’ lawful? An expert explains
Personal information being shared across Whitehall | Artur Widak/NurPhoto/PA Images
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If you make a freedom of information (FOI) request to a government department, there is a good chance that the details, including your name, will be shared across all government departments. This process of sharing – known in government circles as the "Round Robin List" – is said to be so that departments can provide advice, support and co-ordination in responding to FOI requests.

The Round Robin List has been in place since the FOI Act came into application in 2005, and it is understood to enable the Cabinet Office “Clearing House” – the "Orwellian" unit exposed by openDemocracy earlier this week – to have oversight of cross-departmental and high interest requests.

The practice of sharing requesters' names is well established, and occurs frequently, but is it lawful? I would argue not.

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