The Data Protection Act 2018 is a United Kingdom Act of Parliament that updates data protection laws in the UK. It is a national law that complements the European Unions General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and replaces the Data Protection Act 1998. The Act controls how personal information is used by organizations, businesses, or the government. Everyone responsible for using personal data has to follow strict rules called ‘data protection principles’ . These principles include ensuring that the information is used fairly, lawfully, and transparently, used for specified, explicit purposes, and used in a way that is adequate, relevant, and limited to only what is necessary. The Act also provides stronger legal protection for more sensitive information, such as race, ethnic background, political opinions, religious beliefs, trade union membership, genetics, biometrics, health, sex life, or orientation.
Under the Data Protection Act 2018, individuals have the right to find out what information the government and other organizations store about them. They have the right to be informed about how their data is being used, access personal data, have incorrect data updated, have data erased, and stop data processing. The Act applies to personal data, which is information that relates to individuals and from which the individual is identifiable. It covers data held electronically and in hard copy, regardless of where data is held. The Act also covers data held on and off-campus, and on employees or students mobile devices, so long as it is held for University purposes, regardless of the ownership of the device on which it is stored.
The Act works in two ways: it provides individuals with rights, including the right to know what information is held about them and the right to access that information, and it contains rules that must be followed when personal data is processed. The Act brings new powers and responsibilities to the UKs Data Protection Authority, the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) . The ICO is responsible for enforcing the Act and ensuring that organizations comply with its provisions.
In summary, the Data Protection Act 2018 is a UK law that controls how personal information is used by organizations, businesses, or the government. It provides individuals with rights and contains rules that must be followed when personal data is processed. The Act applies to personal data, covers data held electronically and in hard copy, and brings new powers and responsibilities to the UKs Data Protection Authority, the Information Commissioners Office (ICO).
