Basic legal rights are being undermined by public authorities in the UK, by failing to disclose what personal data they hold on individuals, including victims of human trafficking and the Windrush scandal, openDemocracy can reveal.
People requesting copies of their private information, such as police or immigration records, have faced long delays or had their requests ignored entirely. Others have been given folders with key documents missing.
This is having a knock-on effect in the justice system, with lawyers telling openDemocracy that asylum applications and claims for false imprisonment have been put on hold due to the delays.
