The Data Protection Act 1998 which replaced the 1984 Act received Royal assent on 16th July 1998 and came fully into force in 1999.

As with the 1984 Act, the Act gives legal rights to individuals (data subjects) in respect of personal data held about them. The Act gives effect in UK law to EC Directive 95/46/EC (the Directive).

The Council's Data Protection Policy Purpose of the Act

The Data Protection Act 1998 is designed to cover the collecting, storing, processing and distribution of personal data. It gives rights to individuals about whom information is recorded.

This applies to all individuals whether they are an employee, elected member or a member of the public. Each individual has the right to access personal data, prevent processing likely to cause damage or distress and prevent processing for the purposes of direct marketing.

To submit a request to see personal data stored by the Council please use the Subject Access Request Form and return to the Data Protection Officer by emailing it.services@bassetlaw.gov.uk, or posting to the Council Offices.  Each request made will incur a £10 charge except in the case of employees where this charge is waived.

Anyone can allow a third party to see their personal details and act on their behalf, provided they have given consent on the Authority for Data Access Form.

The Act places obligations on those who record and use personal data (data controllers). They must be open about the use of such personal data through Notification and they must follow sound and proper practices by applying the Data Protection Principles.

A copy of the Act can be viewed at Information Commissioners Office website.