Search Legislation

Data Protection Act 1998

 Help about what version

What Version

 Help about advanced features

Advanced Features

Changes to legislation:

Data Protection Act 1998 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 19 March 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

Close

Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.

View outstanding changes

Changes and effects yet to be applied to :

Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:

Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):

SCHEDULES

Section 4(1) and (2).

F1SCHEDULE 1U.K. The data protection principles

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1Act repealed (except s. 62, Sch. 15 paras. 13, 15, 16, 18, 19) (25.5.2018) by Data Protection Act 2018 (c. 12), s. 212(1), Sch. 19 para. 44 (with ss. 117, 209, 210, Sch. 20 paras. 2-9, 17-25, 27-46, 53, 54, 58); S.I. 2018/625, reg. 2(1)(g)

Section 4(3).

F1SCHEDULE 2U.K. Conditions relevant for purposes of the first principle: processing of any personal data

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 4(3).

F1SCHEDULE 3U.K. Conditions relevant for purposes of the first principle: processing of sensitive personal data

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 4(3).

F1SCHEDULE 4U.K. Cases where the eighth principle does not apply

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 6(7).

F1SCHEDULE 5U.K. The Data Protection Commissioner . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Sections 28(12), 48(5).

F1 SCHEDULE 6U.K. Appeal proceedings

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 37.

F1SCHEDULE 7U.K. Miscellaneous exemptions

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 39.

F1SCHEDULE 8U.K. Transitional relief

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 50.

F1 SCHEDULE 9U.K. Powers of entry and inspection

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 53(6).

F1SCHEDULE 10U.K. Further provisions relating to assistance under section 53

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 68(1)(6).

F1SCHEDULE 11U.K. Educational records

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 68(1)(c).

F1SCHEDULE 12U.K. Accessible public records

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 72.

F1SCHEDULE 13U.K. Modifications of Act having effect before 24th October 2007

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 73.

F1SCHEDULE 14U.K. Transitional provisions and savings

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 74(1).

SCHEDULE 15U.K. Minor and consequential amendments

F1Public Records Act 1958 (c. 51)U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (c. 13)U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1Superannuation Act 1972 (c. 11)U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 24)U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 25)U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2)U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1 Access to Medical Reports Act 1988 (c. 28)U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1Football Spectators Act 1989 (c. 37)U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1Education (Student Loans) Act 1990 (c. 6)U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1Access to Health Records Act 1990 (c. 23)U.K.

F111U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F112U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13U.K.In section 5(3) of that Act (cases where right of access may be partially excluded) for the words from the beginning to “record” in the first place where it occurs there is substituted “ Access shall not be given under section 3(2) to any part of a health record ”.

F1Access to Personal Files and Medical Reports (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 (1991/1707 (N.I. 14))U.K.

F114U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

15U.K.In Article 6(1) of that Order (interpretation), in the definition of “health professional”, for “the Data Protection (Subject Access Modification) (Health) Order 1987” there is substituted “ the Data Protection Act 1998 ”.

Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1992 (c. 53)U.K.

16U.K.In Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1992 (tribunals under direct supervision of Council on Tribunals), for paragraph 14 there is substituted—

Data protection

14.

(a) The Data Protection Commissioner appointed under section 6 of the Data Protection Act 1998;

(b) the Data Protection Tribunal constituted under that section, in respect of its jurisdiction under section 48 of that Act.

F1Access to Health Records (Northern Ireland) Order 1993 (1993/1250 (N.I. 4))U.K.

F117U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

18U.K.In Article 5(4) of that Order (cases where fee may be required) in sub-paragraph (a), for “the maximum prescribed under section 21 of the Data Protection Act 1984” there is substituted “ such maximum as may be prescribed for the purposes of this Article by regulations under section 7 of the Data Protection Act 1998 ”.

19U.K.In Article 7 of that Order (cases where right of access may be partially excluded) for the words from the beginning to “record” in the first place where it occurs there is substituted “ Access shall not be given under Article 5(2) to any part of a health record ”.

Section 74(2).

F1SCHEDULE 16U.K. Repeals and revocations

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

You have chosen to open the Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Timeline of Changes

This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.

Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources