Political parties must tell the Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) how and why they are processing electors’ personal data, as a wide-ranging probe of information-gathering practices kicks off.

The DPC audit of political parties’ treatment of personal data will cover information gathered during the polling of electors.

Sinn Féin has said that its officers used identification badges for a non-existent market-research firms while polling electors in 2015.

Meanwhile, Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar has admitted that his party used similar tactics prior to 2016.

Posing as researchers

Fianna Fáil also disclosed that, prior to 2007, party members undertook polling by posing as market researchers.

The DPC  said: “As part of the DPC’s ongoing audit of political parties that commenced recently, all political parties have been asked to account for the source of each field of personal data they process concerning electors/voters.”