Data Protection Act 1998

The text of DPA 1998 contains six major sections called Parts, followed by 16 explanatory notes called Schedules. The Parts outline the basic rights of data subjects, methods in which data may be handled by those who possess it, special exemptions and modes of enforcement. The Schedules explain the Parts in greater detail and elaborate on diverse contingencies and legal interpretations.

The fundamental principles of DPA 1998 specify that personal data must:

• be processed fairly and lawfully.
• be obtained only for lawful purposes and not processed in any manner incompatible with those purposes.
• be adequate, relevant and not excessive.
• be accurate and current.
• not be retained for longer than necessary.
• be processed in accordance with the rights and freedoms of data subjects.
• be protected against unauthorized or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, destruction or damage.
• not be transferred to a country or territory outside the European Economic Area unless that country or territory protects the rights and freedoms of the data subjects.

Read more about Data Protection Act 1998: - The Office of Public Sector Information provides the full text of DPA 1998. - Out-law.com offers a checklist for DPA compliance.

Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know. Send your comments to techterms@whatis.com

Digg This!     StumbleUpon     Del.icio.us

RELATED CONTENT Data Domain and Mimosa add data compliance capability Data Domain looks beyond backup with file-locking software; Mimosa opens its email archiving application to partners, so compliance vendors can add... Proofpoint buys email archiving SaaS provider Fortiva Proofpoint is the latest security and storage vendor to fish from a teeming pond of smaller email archiving companies. National Library of Wales chooses optical disk media for digital archive With its digital archive growing at a rate of 2 to 3 TB annually, the National Library of Wales chooses Plasmon ultra-density optical media for...

RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary Freedom of Information Act 2000  (SearchStorageUK.com) The Freedom of Information Act 2000 is an act of the United Kingdom (UK) Parliament defining the ways in which the public may obtain access to... Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)  (SearchStorageUK.com) The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is an independent authority in the UK that promotes openness of public information and protection of...