Helen Sage reports

The Data Protection Registrar plans to revise and streamline the registration process laid out in the Data Protection Act.

Rosemary Jay, legal adviser to the registrar, said the system was set up in 1986 when fewer people used computers and the registry had no experience of data protection registration.

The aim of the review, she said, is to make registration more accessible. The new system will not ask for the same level of detail for every registration and aims to simplify the process for most applicants.

The registrar has released a consultation document and questionnaire on the proposed update and welcomes comments. For a copy of The Future of Registration call 01625 545700. The closing date for comments is 6 September.

The ninth annual conference on Privacy Laws & Business will be held on 1-3 July at St John's College, Cambridge. Call 0181 423 1300 for details.