A 1.1
Data Protection Act 1998 (amended in 2003) – The Data Protection Act 1998 (amended in 2003) is a UK law that was set up to protect people’s personal information and who the information was shared with. The act also enables people to make sure that their information is being handled correctly. The 1998 Act replaced and consolidated earlier legislation such as the Data Protection Act 1984 and the Access to Personal Files Act 1987. The Data Protection Act 1998 (amended in 2003) is a legal obligation to everyone who holds information about a person. Non-compliance with the Data Protection Act is a criminal offense. Examples of people who hold information who would have to comply with the Data Protection Act 1987 (amended in 2003) is you’re GP, NHS, Private Companies etc. If you’re GP was to disclose information about you to your mother or father without your consent this would be going against the Data Protection act which could lead to the GP being prosecuted for committing a criminal offense and being non-compliant.
Freedom of information act 2000- This act was created to allow members of the public to access information held about them by different public bodies. For example if the NHS holds information about you under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 you have a right to know what this information is and who it is available to. There are three ways to find out information under this act. 1) You can request this information electronically by sending an email to them from their website or using the contact us section.
2) You can write to the department with a request form or a letter requesting access to the information.
3) You can fax the department to request the information.
There may be a charge for the information and you can find details of costs by looking on the public bodies’ website, calling them or writing to them.
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