Information Commissioner’s 2025 Annual Report

The Information Commissioner’s 2025 Annual Report has been tabled in the House of Assembly, detailing PATI requests, review outcomes and the work of the Information Commissioner’s Office.

A spokesperson said, “The Information Commissioner’s 2025 Annual Report, titled “Strengthening Access in the Digital Age”, has been formally laid in the House of Assembly today and is now published for the public on ico.bm.

“The 2025 Annual Report details the administration of the Public Access to Information Act 2010 [PATI Act], including a retrospective on public sector PATI Act obligations, PATI request statistics, and outcomes of independent external reviews conducted by the Information Commissioner during the 2025 calendar year. The Report also presents details about the operations of the Information Commissioner’s Office [ICO].

“Marking a historic double milestone of the ten-year anniversary of the enforceable right to access public information and the appointment of a new Information Commissioner on 1 March 2025, the Report reflects a decade of cultural shift from bureaucratic secrecy to normalised democratic accountability through the accessibility and dissemination of public information.”

On submitting the Report to the Legislature, Information Commissioner Jason Outerbridge stated, “Bermuda, ten years since our PATI Act took effect, can be proud of our PATI regime — one where access to public information rights are valued, used, secure and upheld. If our first decade was defined by laying sturdy foundations, our second decade must be characterised by strengthening digital accessibility, proactive disclosures by public authorities, and systemic accountability across the public sector.

“Although 2025 saw a 25% reduction in total PATI requests made, this does not exactly reflect a declining public interest in accessing information that matters. A drop in PATI requests better signifies a positive shift where public authorities are publishing more of what the public want to know proactively online, reducing the need for formal requests and the ensuing access disputes. Survey results confirm that 87% of the Bermuda public still view access to public records as essential to good governance.

“Lastly, while chronic budget constraints and core staffing shortfalls at the ICO present ongoing vulnerabilities for national oversight, the ICO’s cumulative output in 2025 proves that our team has delivered maximum value for money, preserving the fundamental right to know for all Bermudians and residents. For this, the ICO’s officers deserve fullest public praise for delivering during an exceptionally challenging 2025.”

Key Highlights of the 2025 Annual Report

• 132 New PATI Requests: Public authorities reported receiving 132 new PATI requests in 2025 [a 25% decrease from 177 in 2024], reflecting a growing shift toward proactive online information gathering.
• 97% Annual Return Compliance: 174 out of 180 monitored public authorities successfully submitted their statutory Section 58[3] Annual Returns to the ICO.
• Bermuda Police Service Top Volume: The Bermuda Police Service received 39 new requests, representing the highest volume handled by a single public authority in 2025.
• 56% of Authorities Handled PATI Requests over 10 years: 102 out of 180 authorities reported having processed a PATI request in the 10-year history of the Act, highlighting opportunities for expanded engagement with 78 authorities that have yet to field a PATI request.
• 60 Total Review Caseload: The ICO managed 60 total review applications in 2025 [30 open cases brought forward + 30 new applications].
• 26 Reviews Closed: The Office closed 26 review applications by year-end, successfully reducing its carried-forward backlog for the fifth consecutive year.
• 16 Binding Decisions Issued: The Information Commissioner issued 16 formal Decision Notices [11 on substantive access issues and 5 on Failure to Decide].
• 8 ICO Reviews Resolved by Resolution: 8 reviews were resolved informally during investigation to the satisfaction of both parties without requiring a formal decision or order.
• 100% Order Compliance: Public authorities achieved 100% compliance with the Information Commissioner’s orders, requiring zero Supreme Court judicial enforcements.
• 85% Quarterly Spend Readiness: 85% of relevant public authorities reported their quarterly expenditure reports were published or ready for public release upon request.
• 52 Qualifying Contract Notices: 52 notices detailing public contracts with a total value of $50,000 or more were published in the Official Gazette under Section 6[6].
• 83.2% New Visitors to ico.bm: 83.2% of visitors to www.ico.bm were new users, registering over 31,052 page views as the public sought digital access to information about their PATI rights, ICO decisions and guidance, etc.

The spokesperson said, “The Information Commissioner’s 2025 Annual Report is available on ico.bm. The ICO’s website also provides up to date information about the ICO’s spending of public funds, office operations and decision-making, as well as guidance on complying with the PATI Act and all the Information Commissioner’s published decisions. For a complete picture of the information and records held by the ICO, the public can read our Information Statement, also available on ico.bm.

“Anyone requiring a print copy or persons requiring a more accessible format are encouraged to indicate their need to the ICO by phone on 543-3700, by email at info@ico.bm or by visiting our office at 3rd Floor, Thistle House, 4 Burnaby Street, Hamilton HM11.”

The full Information Commissioner’s 2025 Annual Report can be viewed here.

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