--- title: Reassessing Data Privacy Guidance During Coronavirus/Covid19 Pandemic description: How to prioritise and reassess regulatory and compliance laws on data protection & privacy during the Coronavirus & Covid19 pandemic image: https://insights.comforte.com/hubfs/corona-4938929_1920-1.jpeg --- [![Hubspot_blog_logo](https://insights.comforte.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Hubspot_blog_logo.png?width=295&name=Hubspot_blog_logo.png)](http://www.comforte.com) [![Subscribe](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4026697/ba125972-4bdc-4e47-b9a9-81df496120a0.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4026697/ba125972-4bdc-4e47-b9a9-81df496120a0) [![coronavirus/covid19 data privacy and data protection ](https://insights.comforte.com/hubfs/corona-4938929_1920-1.jpeg)](https://insights.comforte.com/reassessing-data-privacy-guidance-during-coronavirus/covid19-pandemic) [Thomas Stoesser](https://insights.comforte.com/author/thomas-stoesser) l May 19, 2020 l [Compliance](https://insights.comforte.com/tag/compliance), [Pandemic](https://insights.comforte.com/tag/pandemic) # Reassessing Data Privacy Guidance During Coronavirus/Covid19 Pandemic [The UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)](https://ico.org.uk/) has published a document called: *[The ICO’s regulatory approach during the coronavirus public health emergency](https://ico.org.uk/media/about-the-ico/policies-and-procedures/2617613/ico-regulatory-approach-during-coronavirus.pdf),* in order to provide renewed guidance on data security and reassure the public that the exceptional circumstances generated by the Coronavirus are being taken into account. But what do these changes really mean? Describing itself as a ‘*pragmatic and proportionate regulator*’ the paper explains how the independent body is reassessing its priorities to retain balance during the pandemic and prioritize areas likely to cause the greatest public harm; focusing on data protection and freedom of information laws. Emphasizing the exceptional nature of current times, the ICO relaxed its practices stating that it will employ increased flexibility whilst continuing to recognize the importance of [privacy protections](https://insights.comforte.com/5-steps-to-protect-sensitive-data?hsLang=en) and the value of transparency provided by freedom of information. The Information Commissioner’s Office pledged its commitment to safeguarding the information rights of citizens with a renewed emphasis on empathy and pragmatism in line with the unprecedented circumstances generated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This revised guidance acknowledges that the **current crisis will impact individuals and organisations considerably** so the ICO is pledging to take a more flexible approach. But what does this mean in practice? ## Readjusting Focus  Whilst dealing with reports of personal data breaches for example, the body will be more sympathetic to reports submitted after the 72-hour window previously stipulated by law. Investigations will be conducted on the understanding that the COVID-19 emergency presents organisations with new challenges, which may mean that the ICO uses its formal powers which allow it to order organisations to provide evidence and respond in a **timely fashion**,  less often; instead giving enterprises **longer to respond**.   Throughout this emergency regulatory relaxation, the ICO expects to conduct fewer investigations, instead focusing its attention on “serious non-compliance” whilst nevertheless taking a stronger regulatory approach against those taking advantage of the crisis and seriously [breaching data protection laws](https://insights.comforte.com/4-gdpr-violations-that-multiple-companies-have-been-fined-for?hsLang=en). Just as the government is revising legal guidelines in order to protect citizens during the pandemic, the ICO is re-evaluating its enforcement powers, advice and role, recognizing that personnel and financial resources may be diverted away from usual compliance or governance, it will not penalize organisations which fail to totally comply due to the unforeseen circumstances generated the COVID-19 pandemic. The ICO stated that it will keep this guidance under review and issue further updates as appropriate. | Share this:  | [![LinkedIn](https://insights.comforte.com/hubfs/Social%20Icons/linkedin%20icon.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://insights.comforte.com/reassessing-data-privacy-guidance-during-coronavirus/covid19-pandemic&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin) | [![Bluesky](https://insights.comforte.com/hubfs/Social%20Icons/bluesky_logo.png)](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?url=https://insights.comforte.com/reassessing-data-privacy-guidance-during-coronavirus/covid19-pandemic&utm_medium=social&utm_source=Bluesky) | ![Twitter](https://insights.comforte.com/hubfs/Social%20Icons/twitter_x_logo-1.png) | [![XING](https://insights.comforte.com/hubfs/Social%20Icons/xing-color2.png)](https://www.xing.com/spi/shares/new?url=https://insights.comforte.com/reassessing-data-privacy-guidance-during-coronavirus/covid19-pandemic&utm_medium=social&utm_source=xing) | [![Email](https://insights.comforte.com/hubfs/Social%20Icons/email%20icon.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://insights.comforte.com/reassessing-data-privacy-guidance-during-coronavirus/covid19-pandemic&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email%20&body=Check%20out%20https://insights.comforte.com/reassessing-data-privacy-guidance-during-coronavirus/covid19-pandemic&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ## Which data protection method fits your use case? Looking into classic encryption? Hashing? Tokenization? Masking? Click the thumbnail below to learn more about the most common data protection mechanisms, their properties, use cases, and how to implement them. [![data protection methods](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4026697/062b88a2-940b-42a9-bac4-655fd6e23405.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4026697/062b88a2-940b-42a9-bac4-655fd6e23405) ### Related posts ![How Vaultless Tokenization Works in Practice, to Transform Your Business](https://insights.comforte.com/hubfs/comforte%20AG_How%20Vaultless%20Tokenization%20Works%20in%20Practice%20to%20Transform%20Your%20Business_24.07.2025.png) Jul 24, 2025 l [PCI DSS](https://insights.comforte.com/tag/pci-dss) , [Compliance](https://insights.comforte.com/tag/compliance) ### [How Vaultless Tokenization Works in Practice, to Transform Your Business](https://insights.comforte.com/how-vaultless-tokenization-works-in-practice-to-transform-your-business?hsLang=en) In last month’s [blog post](https://insights.comforte.com/is-pci-dss-4.0-slowing-you-down-heres-how-comforte-can-accelerate-your-pci-compliance-journey?hsLang=en) we explained how vaultless tokenization can transform PCI DSS 4.0 compliance from a regulatory burden into a business enabler. Not only does vaultless tokenization reduce the scope and cost of compliance, but it also... [Read more](https://insights.comforte.com/how-vaultless-tokenization-works-in-practice-to-transform-your-business?hsLang=en) ![Is PCI DSS 4.0 Slowing You Down? Here’s How comforte Can Accelerate Your PCI Compliance Journey](https://insights.comforte.com/hubfs/comforte%20AG_Is%20PCI%20DSS%204.0%20Slowing%20You%20Down_%20Heres%20How%20comforte%20Can%20Accelerate%20Your%20PCI%20Compliance%20Journey%20.png) Jun 26, 2025 l [PCI DSS](https://insights.comforte.com/tag/pci-dss) , [Compliance](https://insights.comforte.com/tag/compliance) ### [Is PCI DSS 4.0 Slowing You Down? Here’s How comforte Can Accelerate Your PCI Compliance Journey](https://insights.comforte.com/is-pci-dss-4.0-slowing-you-down-heres-how-comforte-can-accelerate-your-pci-compliance-journey?hsLang=en) With the latest version of PCI DSS, the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) aims to elevate the standards for cardholder data (CHD) security with themes like stronger cryptography, multi-factor authentication, and continuous... [Read more](https://insights.comforte.com/is-pci-dss-4.0-slowing-you-down-heres-how-comforte-can-accelerate-your-pci-compliance-journey?hsLang=en) ![Streamlining PCI DSS 4.0 Compliance for IBM Z Series Customers](https://insights.comforte.com/hubfs/comforte%20AG_Streamlining%20PCI%20DSS%204.0%20Compliance%20for%20IBM%20Z%20Series%20Customers.png) May 15, 2025 l [Data Protection](https://insights.comforte.com/tag/data-protection) , [Compliance](https://insights.comforte.com/tag/compliance) ### [Streamlining PCI DSS 4.0 Compliance for IBM Z Series Customers](https://insights.comforte.com/streamlining-pci-dss-4.0-compliance-for-ibm-z-series-customers?hsLang=en) IBM Z Series customers traditionally include some of the world’s biggest financial services and retail companies. This puts them firmly in the crosshairs of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). Yet while compliance can be... [Read more](https://insights.comforte.com/streamlining-pci-dss-4.0-compliance-for-ibm-z-series-customers?hsLang=en) ### Service - [Contact](https://www.comforte.com/contact/) - [About us](https://www.comforte.com/company/) - [Blog](https://insights.comforte.com/) - [Press Releases](https://www.comforte.com/company/press-releases/) - [Career](https://www.comforte.com/company/career/) - [Resources](https://www.comforte.com/resources/) ### Germany comforte AG Abraham-Lincoln-Str. 22 65189 Wiesbaden Germany Phone: + 49 611 93199 00 Fax: + 49 611 93199 05 ### Australia comforte PTY Suite 20, 1 Rivett Road North Ryde NSW 2113 Australia Postal Address: PO Box 1710 Lane Cove NSW 1595 Australia Phone: +61 2 8197 0272 ### USA comforte Inc. 30 Wall Street, 8th Floor New York, NY 10005-2205 USA Phone: +1-646-438-5716 ### Singapore comforte Asia Pte. Ltd. 1 Raffles Place, #19-61 Tower 2  Singapore 048616 Phone: +65 6808 5507 - [Sitemap](https://www.comforte.com/sitemap/) - [Legal Notice](https://www.comforte.com/legal-notice/) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.comforte.com/privacy-policy/) © comforte AG 2026