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Data Protection Act 1998

Status:

This is the original version (as it was originally enacted).

Part IThe principles

1Personal data shall be processed fairly and lawfully and, in particular, shall not be processed unless—

(a)at least one of the conditions in Schedule 2 is met, and

(b)in the case of sensitive personal data, at least one of the conditions in Schedule 3 is also met.

2Personal data shall be obtained only for one or more specified and lawful purposes, and shall not be further processed in any manner incompatible with that purpose or those purposes.

3Personal data shall be adequate, relevant and not excessive in relation to the purpose or purposes for which they are processed.

4Personal data shall be accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date.

5Personal data processed for any purpose or purposes shall not be kept for longer than is necessary for that purpose or those purposes.

6Personal data shall be processed in accordance with the rights of data subjects under this Act.

7Appropriate technical and organisational measures shall be taken against unauthorised or unlawful processing of personal data and against accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, personal data.

8Personal data shall not be transferred to a country or territory outside the European Economic Area unless that country or territory ensures an adequate level of protection for the rights and freedoms of data subjects in relation to the processing of personal data.

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