2. Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000
WHAT THE ACT DOES:
Covers the power of public bodies (such as Serious Fraud Office) to conduct investigations and surveillance, including communications.
HOW IT WOULD AFFECT AN ORGANISATION:
Businesses have to ensure employees are made aware that all digital communication will be stored and can be checked under the RIPA.
PROS AND CONS:
Can allow public bodies to solve investigations and bring criminals to justice.
Some people may feel that allowing public bodies to carry out activities such as bugging cars and undercover personal surveillance is not right.

3. Data Protection Act 1998 WHAT THE ACT DOES:
Governs the way in which organisations can collect, process and store private data. To ensure data is processed fairly and lawfully, can only be obtained for clearly stated purposes etc.
HOW IT WOULD AFFECT AN ORGANISATION:
Organisations must ensure they collect and store data in lawful manners which may mean they need to train staff or spend money on storage systems that are deemed lawful.
PROS AND CONS:
Stop the misuse of personal data.
Some organisations may feel the act is too restrictive or over protective of simple data.

4. Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003
WHAT THE ACT DOES:
Governs the way organisations can use electronic communications to contact customers. Includes the right to be able to relax without interruption at home, not being bothered by unsolicited s or phone calls.
HOW IT WOULD AFFECT AN ORGANISATION:
Restricts the amount and manners in which organisations contact their customers and how they attempt to find new customers.
PROS AND CONS:
Reduces the amount of spam/cold calls members of the public receive.
Can lose organisations customers if calling is their main method of marketing.

5. Freedom of Information Act 2000
WHAT THE ACT DOES:
Provides the public with the right to access information about the activities carried out by public authorities. Charities are exempt.
HOW IT WOULD AFFECT AN ORGANISATION:
Allows an organisation to know about any investigations into them.
PROS AND CONS:
Makes the public aware of what is going on.
Can be a large cost to public bodies as staff have to be paid to respond to requests from the public and to find the requested information.

6. Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
WHAT THE ACT DOES:
Wide ranging act ranging from strengthening the Freedom of Information Act to how DNA, fingerprints and footprints need to be stored, handled and destroyed.
HOW IT WOULD AFFECT AN ORGANISATION:
Organisations may have to spend money to improve their methods of storage of personal data.
PROS AND CONS:
Ensures other acts are supported and strengthened.
Can be hard to abide by since the act ranges across so many subjects.

7. Computer Misuse Act 1990 WHAT THE ACT DOES:
This act protects against unauthorised access to computer material, systems with intent to commit another offence and the modification of computer material.
HOW IT WOULD AFFECT AN ORGANISATION:
Helps to protect organisations against hackers.
PROS AND CONS:
Can help to reduce the amount of cyber crimes committed and keep the publics data safer.
Can be hard to prove when an offence has taken place so very few people are successfully prosecuted under this act.

8. Information Commissioner's Office Code of Practice
WHAT THE ACT DOES:
These codes of practice apply the Data Protection Act to specific practices. For example, the use of CCTV – including when it is acceptable to use automatic number plate recognition software.
HOW IT WOULD AFFECT AN ORGANISATION:
Organisations have to abide by these codes of practice and to do so it may cost them money to amend their practices.
PROS AND CONS:
Ensures data protection acts are abided by therefore helping keep the publics information and rights intact.
Can be hard to monitor the codes or practice.

9. Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988
WHAT THE ACT DOES:
Allows a person who has created a piece of art or music – or invented a technology – to have control over what they have created and to restrict the rights of others to use it.
HOW IT WOULD AFFECT AN ORGANISATION:
Organisations may have to pay extra to use materials produced by others. Organisations can also protect their own material from unwanted use by other organisations and individuals.
PROS AND CONS:
Allows people to have real rights over what they produce.
People could copyright something they don’t own before the original owner has done that themselves.

10. Equality Act 2011 WHAT THE ACT DOES:
This act combined a number of previous acts into one intended to protect UK citizens from being discriminated against. It also strengthened some protections that had already existed.
HOW IT WOULD AFFECT AN ORGANISATION:
Makes sure organisations do not discriminate against any citizens and offer the same opportunities to all.
PROS AND CONS:
Reduces the amount of discrimination.
Can be confusing for organisations as the act has taken many different previous acts and merged them together.