This week Parliament agreed to The Data Protection Order 2006. From July 26th, anyone cautioned or convicted of buying online child pornography can expect the police to inform their bank or building society. The issuing company may then withdraw the card from the customer. Despite the direct implications for human rights, the news has received only limited coverage.

eGov monitor have reported on the legislation this morning, while The Register publicised the story last month. Previously, the police did not have the power to provide this type of information to card companies, due to existing data protection legislation. This development is the product of three years work between a number of organisations, such as The Home Office, The Department for Constitutional Affairs, the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre and APACS, who represent the card companies.

While the change in the law will not force card companies to withdraw their services from offending customers, they will have the right to do so. The lack of controversy surrounding the new law is a little suprising, since the sanction will also apply to people only cautioned for an offence.

Ironically, The Internet Watch Foundation released a new set of statistics this morning on child abuse images. Their statistics suggest that this type of internet content is increasingly associated with the US and not the UK. However, in recent years the UK has seen some high profile cases, where people have accepted cautions in order to a escape a protracted and demanding trial. The Data Protection Order 2006 will now impact upon individuals caught in this grey area.