Jersey’s data protection regulator and the Channel Island’s financial services ombudsman (CIFO) have announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The MoU sets out how the two offices will work collaboratively to clarify cases where their jurisdictions overlap and to ensure that all complainants can properly exercise their data protection and financial services consumer rights.
Dr Jay Fedorak (shown above in the main picture), Information Commissioner, welcomed the move. “Both our offices want to help consumers to find the most appropriate recourse, when they believe that financial services providers have wronged them. It can be difficult for consumers to determine which of our offices is the right one to deal with their issue, and sometimes a complaint can involve both data protection issues and financial loss where compensation would be appropriate.
“This MoU will facilitate appropriate cooperation between our offices to serve the best interests of consumers, without compromising necessary confidentiality.”
Douglas Melville, Principal Ombudsman & Chief Executive, endorses the spirit of cooperation and partnership manifest in the MoU. “Modern-day financial services are as much about information as money. Many of the complaints we review against Jersey-based financial services providers involve issues of information access, privacy and data protection. Having a clear understanding between our offices and a commitment to mutual cooperation and support helps both to better perform our respective independent roles in the public interest.”
