Data Protection

Protecting personal data and allowing for the proper sharing of such data

The Data Protection Act (DPA) was put in place to help protect people's personal data. It aims to ensure that people know where their data is held, what it is used for and who it is shared with. It also makes sure that an organisation treats people's data correctly and has systems in place for managing the information.

The Data Protection Act is a law that was introduced in order to comply with the European Directive 1995 and replaces the Data Protection Act 1984. It also amends or partially repeals other statutes.

The new Act is the legal framework within which all organisations who are controllers of personal data must operate. It covers all data held about an individual (data subject) in both manual and computerised files.

Personal data is any information about an individual from which the individual can be identified, i.e. name, address, date of birth, photograph, video image, Payroll Number, etc, Personal information also includes any written opinions about the individual.

How to make a request to access your personal information

	Data protection - the eight principles There are eight principles around the use of personal data. If these are met then it helps to ensure compliance with the law.
	Data protection and Gloucestershire County Council Gloucestershire County Council is committed to compliance with all requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998.
	Data Protection - Notification Notification is the process which organisations register what personal data they use and how they use it.