Scott Sammons

Looking forward to the eCase FOI Conference and Awards in Edinburgh 😍

A man in glasses sat at a desk in an office

I’m still as mad as a box of frogs, and still have my moments, but I appreciate being back in control (on the whole), of my faculties.

(And yes, this is me, in the office on a Saturday morning doing admin bits - so rock and roll)

While it’s been a journey, and still more to go as some issues persist, I just wanted to mark 1 year of not feeling so exhausted all the time and not letting people down (or feeling that way) because my memory was so bad.

and roll) and roll!).

After a year I now get a full nights sleep which means the brain fog is clearing, I don’t feel tired all the time and slowly but surely the body is getting the overnight reset it needs to heal itself.

It lead to poor mental health, poor health, exhaustion all the time and various other things. I can’t say it’s been the root of all my problems, however I would say it has been a key influence at least.

Today marks 1 year since I started my CPAP treatment for sleep apnea. When diagnosed, mine was ‘severe’ with breathing “incidents” (stop breathing) around 70 times an hour. While we aren’t sure when it started, it’s safe to say I had it for at least 10 years without ever realising.

A bit of an odd personal one, so indulge me for a moment. (Scroll on if that sort of thing isn’t for you).

Just announcing our new FREE webinar! Ethical AI in action, 23 Feb. Facing the challenge of embedding data ethics and responsible AI into your organisation? Then join our panel of experts from Global Fishing Watch and the ODI for a deep dive into the realities of what this means. buff.ly/kzB2Ptk

I feel a naughty school boy with excuses for being late today. But my opine alarm genuinely didn’t go off. Which is odd as it’s just a daily one.

Clearly technology doesn’t recognise today as a day. No work today for anyone… whoooo!

And if tech says it then it must be true… right?

A little dusting of snow on the chilly walk into the office this morning.

I have recommitted to walking to the office more (rather than getting the bus) and drinking more water. So it was a nice hot coffee when I got to the office and now already ploughing through the water.

YouTube video by The Invisible Game The (Overdue) Collapse of Corporate Consulting

If this little video is true, and they are dying as an industry, good riddance. Government would save so much money by not using them and commissioning services that are much cheaper and actually run by professionals
who are far more accountable (and own) their advice.

youtu.be/ysEAIIHzvXo?...

I am sure there is positive and constructive elements of them, no doubt. However my experience is that it most certainly is not in data protection. Not at all. It’s all gimmicky, badly researched, badly delivered wastes of time and money.

If I behaved as they do as a small consultancy, and produced duff work, my name would be mud and I would be raked across the coals. Bigger firms, just accepted as how it works. Event when everyone accepts it was duff work!

Time and again you see reports or failed projects that cost £££££ and deliver nothing. And who was brought in to do it or run it, the big consultancy firm. Is there any accountability? No. Any refunds? No.

Time and again I see organisations pay ££££ for shuddy work that the smaller, competent, consultancies then have to clear up. Or could have done right for far less money. What an utter waste of money, a fair proportion of it being taxpayer money.

Those close to me know I am avidly against large consulting firms (mainly the big 4). Have been for years based on my experiences. My experience of them is poor quality work, bullying, sexism, hypocrisy and corruption.

🧵

Patricia Routledge: Keeping Up Appearances star dies at 96 - BBC News She also starred in Alan Bennett's TV monologues and played the BBC's amateur sleuth Hetty Wainthropp.

I have used Mrs Bucket in my DP scenarios for years. She’s an idol with her white slim line telephone with automatic redial. May she have many candlelit suppers with the vicar as she rests.

Rest in peace Dame Patricia Routledge. 🫶

www.bbc.com/news/article...

a woman says computer says no in front of a palm tree ALT: a woman says computer says no in front of a palm tree

Oh look, another “you’re wrong, I’m right because I asked AI and it says so” email.

It’s the new “computer says no”.

I despair for humanity I really do.

It will also be the subject of a forthcoming bonus episode of The Rest is History, with Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook.

For more details head to t.co/EouQTGuMqw

The research of the exhibition's conveners, Byrga Geniht, has been endorsed by Prof. Marcus du Sautoy, Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science and Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford.

The show combines sculpture, historical artefacts, and digital projection to reconnect England with its lost culture.

Entry is free and the show will include brand new works made in collaboration with artists including Jacob Chandler, Dave Shrimpton, Caroline Weidman, Shay Shani, and Teresa Clay, as well as BYRGA GENIHT originals.

This month, 2 very dear friends of mine at Byrga Geniht are hosting their debut art show at The Minories, Colchester, Essex.

Details in 🧵 below…

Still in limbo last time I checked. 🤣

I do use the word ‘good’ loosely and only when compared to their DP work. Compared to that, they are top of the class. 🤣

Some good news for the day. Some new reading to distract the mind for a bit. 😍

Completely agree! Other regulators have their faults, but at least they carry some respect. I’ve lost all respect for that office except for their FOI side. At least that is doing ‘good’ work.

The lack of any action on the MOD breach. It’s baffling most people as it goes completely against their own policies on things and sends a very clear message undermining what we’ve all be trying to achieve.

Giving very serious thought to going back in house.

I’ve struggled for ages to fight off the inner imposter and of late, it’s winning and I’m not.

Add in this latest nonsense from the ICO and I’m just completely deflated, tired and fed up.

It might be time for a holiday.

Release of technology secretary’s use of ChatGPT will have Whitehall sweating Use of Freedom of Information Act to reveal Peter Kyle’s ChatGPT queries has shocked experts and left journalists wondering what to request next

NEW: Peter Kyle has had his ChatGPT prompts released under FOI. An unprecedented move, secured by @stokel.bsky.social.

What does it mean?

Google searches next - and some sweaty palms in Whitehall…

My analysis of a rare FOI win:

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Finally, our special recognition award goes to @privacydino.bsky.social for his outstanding contribution to information governance.
Congratulations Barry!
#FOI25 #eCaseFOIawards #FOIawards