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What is the Information Commission (ICO)?

The ICO is the UK's regulator for information rights. Since 30 September 2026 the regulator has been the Information Commission. It took over the functions of the former Information Commissioner under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025. The organisation is still known as the ICO. GOV.UK says the transition does not change the regulator's role, responsibilities or powers. 324

By Secordit. Last checked: 10 November 2026.

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How it works

  1. In the UK, data protection is governed by the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. The ICO produces guidance and handles complaints about how organisations use personal data. 1
  2. GOV.UK says you can contact the ICO for advice or a complaint if you are concerned about how your personal data is being handled. 1
  3. The ICO also deals with other information-rights topics for the public, including subject access requests, home CCTV and nuisance marketing, among others. 5

What UK guidance says

GOV.UK lists telephone 0303 123 1113 and textphone 18001 0303 123 1113, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and a Wilmslow postal address. GOV.UK lists the organisation as the Information Commission. The ICO's 15 September 2026 news item says the organisation will continue to be known as the ICO. 124

What to know

  • An organisation will not say how it is using your personal data, or you want advice or to make a complaint about that use. 1
  • A phone number or address for the ICO does not match the contact details published on GOV.UK. 1
  • You have a fraud or cyber-crime concern. Contacting the ICO is not a substitute for reporting a crime to Report Fraud or to a bank. 16

What to do now

  1. If you want advice or to make a complaint about how your personal data is being handled, contact the ICO. Use the details on GOV.UK. The phone number listed there is 0303 123 1113, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. 1
  2. For a subject access request, use the ICO's public request pages, or write to the organisation directly. 51
  3. If you also think a crime has taken place, use Report Fraud, or Police Scotland on 101 in Scotland. Contact your bank if money or details have gone. 6789

UK reporting and support

How to protect yourself

  • Use the contact details published on GOV.UK, rather than a number or link from an unexpected message. 1
  • Read the ICO's pages for the public for subject access requests and other information-rights topics. 5
  • This is general information, not legal advice. Contacting the ICO is not a substitute for reporting a crime to Report Fraud or to a bank. 16

Frequently asked questions

What does the ICO do, and when should I contact them?

The ICO is the UK regulator for information rights. GOV.UK says you can contact the ICO for advice or a complaint if you are concerned about how your personal data is being handled. The phone number on that page is 0303 123 1113. 12

Is the ICO the same as the Information Commission?

Since 30 September 2026 the regulator has been the Information Commission. It took over the functions of the former Information Commissioner. GOV.UK lists the organisation as Information Commission. The ICO's 15 September 2026 news item says it will continue to be known as the ICO. 324

Should I contact the ICO about a scam or a crime?

Contacting the ICO is not a substitute for reporting a crime to Report Fraud or to your bank. In Scotland, use Police Scotland on 101. Use the ICO for information-rights advice or complaints. 16789

Matching kit

Data Protection Complaints Pack · £19 · Digital download.

A procedure, complaint form, letter templates and a log for the UK data protection complaints duty. It is practical help, not legal advice.

General information, not legal, financial or personalised security advice. Secordit is not a police or bank reporting service.

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Sources

  1. GOV.UK, Data protection. Accessed 10 November 2026 (Europe/London).
  2. GOV.UK, Information Commission (organisation page). Accessed 10 November 2026 (Europe/London).
  3. GOV.UK, Information Commission succeeds the ICO as UK's data protection regulator. Accessed 10 November 2026 (Europe/London).
  4. ICO, ICO governance changes confirmed for 30 September 2026. Accessed 10 November 2026 (Europe/London).
  5. ICO, For the public. Accessed 10 November 2026 (Europe/London).
  6. Report Fraud, Report Fraud. Accessed 10 November 2026 (Europe/London).
  7. Report Fraud, Guide to reporting cyber crime and fraud. Accessed 10 November 2026 (Europe/London).
  8. Police Scotland, How to report a crime - Police Scotland. Accessed 10 November 2026 (Europe/London).
  9. Report Fraud, Reporting cyber crime and fraud or phishing attempts - Report Fraud. Accessed 10 November 2026 (Europe/London).