2006-11-19 23:23:28 · 2 answers · asked by xiang c 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
First you ask what it is, now you ask why we need it?
2006-11-19 23:27:42 · answer #1 · answered by orlandobillybob 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Data Protection Act (DPA) is a British Act of Parliament that provides a legal basis and allowing for the privacy and protection of data of individuals in the UK. The act places restrictions on organisations which collect or hold data which can identify a living person. The Act does not apply to domestic use[1], for example keeping a personal address book.
Data collected by any person or organisation may only be used for the specific purposes for which they were collected. Personal data may only be kept for an appropriate length of time and must not be disclosed to other parties without the consent of the data owner. Schools, for example, may decide to keep information on former pupils for no longer than ten years.
The act is overseen by an independent government authority, the Office of the Information Commissioner. Persons and organisations which store personal data must register with the Data Protection Commissioner.
The UK Data Protection Act is large Act, and has a reputation for complexity.[citation needed] Whilst the basic principles are honoured for protecting privacy, interpreting the act is not always simple
2006-11-20 07:27:19 · answer #2 · answered by spankdis 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋