The UK’s privacy regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), is facing increasing pressure from a coalition of 20 organizations concerning the troubled rollout of the Home Office’s eVisa system. Campaigners argue that the ICO has failed to adequately address numerous complaints related to the digital immigration status scheme.
Coalition Calls for Inquiry
Organizations including the Open Rights Group have formally requested that the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee conduct an inquiry into the ICO’s actions. They assert that the ICO has not enforced data protection laws effectively against the Home Office, particularly regarding the eVisa program, which has been plagued by technical issues.
Technical Issues and User Impact
Since its launch, users of the eVisa system have reported significant problems, including being locked out of their accounts, difficulties in proving their immigration status, and instances of personal data being mixed with that of unrelated individuals. These failures have reportedly hindered individuals from entering the UK, securing employment, enrolling in educational programs, and accessing benefits.
Regulatory Oversight in Question
The coalition’s letter highlights a lack of formal enforcement actions by the ICO despite their initial request for an investigation in November 2025. They claim that the ICO has not disclosed the number of incidents related to the eVisa system or provided a timeline for resolving these ongoing issues. An FOI disclosure revealed that the ICO received 851 complaints about the Home Office between December 2023 and December 2025, but it remains unclear how many pertained specifically to eVisas.
Concerns About ICO Independence
Critics argue that the ICO’s recent memorandum of understanding with the government and changes to its complaints policy may undermine public confidence in its independence. The coalition is urging parliamentary action to ensure that the Home Office publishes data on incidents, complaints, and support requests related to the eVisa system.
As the ICO faces scrutiny, the Home Office has acknowledged the issues with the eVisa system but has not provided specific details on the number of incidents or a resolution timeline. The situation raises significant questions about the effectiveness of regulatory oversight in the realm of digital immigration services.
This article was produced by NeonPulse.today using human and AI-assisted editorial processes, based on publicly available information. Content may be edited for clarity and style.
