Data Protection Act 1998

Friends in Law Journalism

Data protection

There are eight Data Protection Principles (the Principles) in the Data Protection Act 1998, (referred to as the Principles of good information handling), which Data Controllers are required to comply with.

Personal data:

1. Shall be processed fairly and lawfully

2. Shall be obtained only for one or more specified and lawful purposes, and shall not be further processed in any manner incompatible with that purpose(s)

3. Shall be adequate, relevant and not excessive in relation to the purpose or purposes for which they are processed.

4. Shall be accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date.

5. Processed for any purpose or purposes shall not be kept for longer than is necessary for that purpose or those purposes.

6. Personal data shall be processed in accordance with the rights of data subjects under this Act.

7. Appropriate technical and organisational measures shall be taken against unauthorised or unlawful processing of personal data and against accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, personal data.

Personal data shall not be transferred to a country or territory outside the European Economic Area, unless that country or territory ensures an adequate level of protection of the rights and freedoms of data subjects in relation to the processing of personal data.

(ACPO) Association of Chief Police Officers Guidelines concerning publicity

BBC Guidance on Data Protection Act 1998

BBC guidance on Keeping records, Personal information, Entrance forms and the Data Protection Act, The Law: Data Protection Act
User rights, Webcams and privacy

Data Protection Commissioner's Code of Practice on CCTV

Webcams and privacy

Data Protection Act 1998 The Statute

Government Business Link Guide to complying with Data Protection law

What does the Data Protection Act apply to?

The data protection principles

Using personal information fairly and lawfully

Individuals' rights under the Data Protection Act

Personal information access rights