Overview
- UK data watchdogs fined and reprimanded the force after finding its full extraction of a complainant’s phone was excessive and unfair, capturing large volumes of special‑category data.
- The ICO said Police Scotland breached the Data Protection Act 2018, citing sections 35 and 37 for unlawful collection and inadequate processing controls.
- Investigators placed the complete phone download into a misconduct bundle that was copied to the accused officer, his solicitor and his Scottish Police Federation representative.
- Police Scotland failed to notify the ICO within the required 72 hours, later apologised, and said it has strengthened processes, training and oversight.
- The complainant, identified as Detective Constable Lianne Gilbert, reports severe distress including PTSD and says she still has not been told exactly which images were shared.