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Guardians of Data

Guardians of Data

Written by: Act Now Training
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A show where we explore the world of information law and governance; from privacy and AI to cybersecurity and freedom of information.

In each episode we will be speaking with experts and practitioners to unpack the big issues shaping the IG profession.

© 2026 Guardians of Data Politics & Government
Episodes
  • The WASPI Code of Conduct for Information Sharing Protocols

    The WASPI Code of Conduct for Information Sharing Protocols
    Oct 14 2026

    In episode 18, we spoke to Professor Mark Mon-Williams about the concept of connected data: how bringing information together can deliver joined-up public services and improve outcomes for children and young people. That leads to a practical question: how do organisations share information in a way, which is fair, lawful and transparent?.

    This episode looks at the governance mechanisms required that can turn the promise of connected data into better services and better outcomes. Having data is one thing, but we need to also ensure we have the governance, agreements and accountability in place. A great example of where this has been done can be found in WASPI, the Wales Accord on the Sharing of Personal Information, and the new UK GDPR Code of Conduct for Information Sharing Protocols which was recently approved by the Information Commission.

    In this episode we explore:

    • How WASPI works in practice
    • What the Code of Conduct for Information Sharing Protocols adds to it
    • How it can help organisations move from asking whether information can be shared to ensuring it is shared lawfully with robust governance
    • And what other parts of the UK can learn from the Welsh experience.

    My guest is Dave Parsons, who has worked in information governance for twenty years, including many yearsin local government in Wales. As the WASPI code manager, Dave has played a leading role in developing WASPI and the new code of conduct.

    Useful Links

    Podcast - Connected Data

    The WASPI Service

    https://www.waspi.gov.wales/code-of-conduct/

    https://www.waspi.gov.wales/news/waspi-uk-gdpr-code-of-conduct-for-information-sharing-protocols-published/

    ICO Announcement

    https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/government-data-sharing-pandemic

    Phaselaw

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    This podcast is sponsored by Phaselaw - a purpose-built solution for document disclosures, like subject access requests and FOI requests. Instead of redacting PDFs one by one, or forcing litigation software to do a job it wasn't designed for, with Phaselaw you get collection, review, and redaction in one workflow. Teams across the World are using it to cut response times from weeks to days.

    For Guardians of Data listeners, Phaselaw is offering a two-month free trial; run it on live requests, see what it does to your backlog, decide from there. No card, no commitment.
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    36 mins
  • Connected Data: A New Approach to Information Sharing

    Connected Data: A New Approach to Information Sharing
    Sep 30 2026
    How can we make better use of the information already held about children to improve their lives?That is the question explored in the latest episode of the Guardians of Data podcast. Ibrahim Hasan is joined by Professor Mark Mon-Williams, who holds a Chair in Cognitive Psychology at the University of Leeds, and is Professor of Psychology at the Bradford Institute of Health Research.Mark argues that children and families do not fit neatly into the organisational silos in which public services operate. A school may see attendance and educational needs, a GP may hold health information, and social care may have a different part of the picture. When those pieces remain disconnected, important patterns can be missed. As Mark puts it, “the challenge is to move from fragmented services towards a more holistic, child-centred approach”.Mark is one of the executive authors of a report (Connecting Data: Intelligent and informed delivery to support every child to succeed ) which was published in July 2026 by a group of academics, education professionals and children’s services practitioners. The report suggests a new model approach for information sharing to improve the lives of children and young people (Connected Data). In this podcast, we explore how the Connected Bradford project, is putting that approach into practice, and discuss examples where linking health and education data has revealed issues that would have been difficult to identify from individual datasets alone. But this isn't simply a conversation about the benefits of connecting data. The UK has tried to improve information sharing before, from ContactPoint to Care.Data, and those experiences raise important questions about privacy, governance and public trust. We discuss what is different about the Connected Data model, including its emphasis on devolved systems, secure environments and community engagement.We also examine the emerging policy landscape, including the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 and the proposed education data spine, and ask what greater connectivity could mean for the future of children’s services. And there is a wider question: as public-sector data infrastructure increasingly involves major technology companies, how do we ensure that public data remains under public control? Listen now and join the conversation about how we can connect data to improve children’s lives while protecting their rights, privacy and trust. Useful LinksNew Child of the North reportChild of the North campaignBorn in Bradford ProjectThe NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Podcast - The Government's Plans for Children's Data Phaselaw This podcast is sponsored by Phaselaw - a purpose-built solution for document disclosures, like subject access requests and FOI requests. Instead of redacting PDFs one by one, or forcing litigation software to do a job it wasn't designed for, with Phaselaw you get collection, review, and redaction in one workflow. Teams across the World are using it to cut response times from weeks to days.For Guardians of Data listeners, Phaselaw is offering a two-month free trial; run it on live requests, see what it does to your backlog, decide from there. No card, no commitment.
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    44 mins
  • FOI and Transparency in Practice

    FOI and Transparency in Practice
    Sep 16 2026
    In the UK, Freedom of Information laws are now more than 20 years old. If you want to understand how they have impacted the way government operates, there are plenty of clues in the news headlines over the last few years; from the Covid Inquiry to the Peter Mandleson affair and the release of the Epstein files.In this podcast we are joined by Dr Ben Worthy, a Reader in Politics and Public Policy at Birkbeck College, University of London. Ben has written extensively on issues around Transparency and Freedom of Information including authoring the book “The Politics of FOI”. Ben discusses the research studies that he has conducted into FOI practice in various sectors, to give us an insight into the practice and effectiveness of FOI in achieving transparency. We also explore what transparency actually looks like inside government and the wider public sector, what FOI can (and can’t) achieve and where transparency in the UK might be heading next.Hit the play button to start listening to Ben's insights.If you want more perspectives on this important topic be sure to check out our other podcast episodes. In Episode 3, Maurice Frankel , the Director of the Campaign for Freedom of Information explains the history of FOI and his views on current and future challenges to the legislation. In Episode 9 we talk to Martin Rosenbaum, an ex BBC Journalist, who also shares practical tips on dealing with FOI requests from journalists. Finally, in Episode 14 barrister, Saara Idelbi, gives practical advice on handling AI generated information requests.Further ResourcesAct Now FOI BlogsWorthy, B. (2025). Freedom of Information at 20. Political Insight, 16( 4), 34-36. https://doi.org/10.1177/20419058251403821Government by WhatsApp? Covid, Transparency and Government by Text: https://politicalquarterly.org.uk/blog/government-by-whatsapp-covid-transparency-and-government-by-text/Ben Worthy & Megan Waugh (2024), "More open, more democratic or better at hiding? Two decades of local government transparency in the UK", Report: https://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/54509/9/54509a.pdfThe Future of FOI: Martin’s view here: https://rosenbaum6.substack.com/p/registering-risk-with-andy-burnhamFOI at 20: https://www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/article/the-freedom-of-information-act-turns-20-can-it-outwit-the-delete-buttonTransparency and FOI: https://www.bbk.ac.uk/events/event/54736/secrets-and-lies-does-more-transparency-make-for-better-politics This podcast is sponsored by Phaselaw - a purpose-built solution for document disclosures, like subject access requests and FOI requests. Instead of redacting PDFs one by one, or forcing litigation software to do a job it wasn't designed for, with Phaselaw you get collection, review, and redaction in one workflow. Teams across the World are using it to cut response times from weeks to days.For Guardians of Data listeners, Phaselaw is offering a two-month free trial; run it on live requests, see what it does to your backlog, decide from there. No card, no commitment.
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    46 mins
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