Section 166 Orders to progress complaints to the CommissionI1

(1)

This section applies where, after a data subject makes a complaint under section 165 F1..., the F2Commission—

(a)

fails to take appropriate steps to respond to the complaint,

(b)

fails to provide the complainant with information about progress on the complaint, or of the outcome of the complaint, before the end of the period of 3 months beginning when the Commission received the complaint, or

(c)

if the Commission's consideration of the complaint is not concluded during that period, fails to provide the complainant with such information during a subsequent period of 3 months.

(2)

The Tribunal may, on an application by the data subject, make an order requiring the Commission—

(a)

to take appropriate steps to respond to the complaint, or

(b)

to inform the complainant of progress on the complaint, or of the outcome of the complaint, within a period specified in the order.

(3)

An order under subsection (2)(a) may require the Commission—

(a)

to take steps specified in the order;

(b)

to conclude an investigation, or take a specified step, within a period specified in the order.

(4)

Section 165(5) applies for the purposes of subsections (1)(a) and (2)(a) as it applies for the purposes of section 165(4)(a).

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1: Words in s. 166(1) omitted (19.6.2026) by virtue of Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), s. 142(1), Sch. 10 para. 20(3); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 7)
F2: Word in s. 166(1)-(3) substituted (30.9.2026) by The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026 (S.I. 2026/386), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 23(2)(3); S.I. 2026/1015, reg. 2(c)
F3: Words in s. 166 heading inserted (19.6.2026) by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), s. 142(1), Sch. 10 para. 20(2); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 7)
F4: Word in s. 166 heading substituted (30.9.2026) by The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026 (S.I. 2026/386), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 23(2)(3) (with reg. 1(5)); S.I. 2026/1015, reg. 2(c)

Commencement

I1: S. 166 in force at 25.5.2018 by S.I. 2018/625, reg. 2(1)(f)