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Does the Data Protection Act affect you?

Aug 23 2005

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) - the Government body responsible for enforcing the 1998 Data Protection Act - has recently set up a new division it hopes will tackle "the minority of businesses that don't take their data protection obligations seriously". The Regulatory Action Division will use teams of specialists to deal with offenders, using powers ranging from seeking to negotiate solutions to criminal prosecution, in response to what it regards as an increase in the potential misuse of information.

The Data Protection Act 1998 sets rules for anyone keeping or processing personal information on individuals. If you want to hold personal information on individuals, your business needs to comply with the rules set out in the Act (known as the data protection principles), and you may need to notify the Information Commissioner if you hold certain information.

This factsheet describes the purpose and requirements of the Data Protection Act and explains what you need to do in order to comply with it. It includes useful hints and tips as well as sources of further information.

To purchase the factsheet, click here.

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