1. Data Protection Act and Other Laws

2. DPA
The Data Protection Act (DPA) 1998 governs the use of personal data stored by companies in order to make sure that it is safe and not passed on to other people.
Personal data means data about a living person such as a medical or criminal record.
The Data Protection Act sets out rules that data holders (companies who store personal data about other people) must follow.
Data subjects (the living people who have personal data stored about them) have a right to see all data kept by a company.
There are some situations in which personal data can be passed on to other people. These are called exemptions. Some examples are:
Issues of national security or where a crime has been committed
To investigate taxes

3. 8 Key Principles Data must be processed legally.
Data must be used for a specific purpose.
Data should be the minimum required for the purpose.
Data must be accurate and up to date.
Data should be kept for a suitable length of time.
Data subjects should be able to see data stored about them.
Data should be safe and secure.
When transferring data, countries need similar laws to the DPA.

4. Rights of data subjects

5. Computer Misuse Act 1990
1. Unauthorized access to computer material is an offence.
2. Accessing with intent to commit or facilitate committing another offence.
3. Unauthorized modification to computer material.
That’s bad.
That’s worse.
That’s the worst!

6. Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000
Enables the police to carry out surveillance to detect crime.
The police can access personal s.
The police can see SMS messages.
The police can listen to phone calls.

7. Electronic Communications Act 2000
Makes sure that all encryption over the Internet is carried out correctly.
Computer signatures are now binding like signatures on paper.

8. Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 / Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992
Employers are responsible for health and safety of their employees legally.
All workstations should be inspected regularly for risks.
Staff should be trained on health and safety matters.
Eye tests should be provided for free to employees.
Tasks should be changed regularly to prevent RSI.