1、Oxford University, 29th June 2000,The Data Protection Act 1998,Tony Brett IT Systems Manager Corpus Christi College,Oxford University, 29th June 2000,Overview,General overview of the act What is the act? Definitions Changes since 1984 act Principles of the act Transitional Relief Implications for Co
2、lleges and Departments Things to keep in mind Resources,Oxford University, 29th June 2000,What is the Data Protection Act?,Intended to balance interests of data subjects with data controllers. Freedom to process data vs. privacy of individuals. 1984 act was repealed by the 1998 act. 24 October 1998.
3、 1 March 2000.,Oxford University, 29th June 2000,Definitions,Personal Data Expression of opinion, or fact, E-mail address, photos, video footage etc. etc. Some types are sensitive (a special new category). Processing Reviewing, holding, sorting, deleting Data Controllerall of us! Users of data Relev
4、ant Filing System Readily accessible information about living individuals Commissioner New name for Data Protection Registrar,Oxford University, 29th June 2000,Changes Since the 1984 Act,Much broader than the old act. More rights for data subjects. Covers relevant manual filing systems. New category
5、 of data sensitive data. Transitional relief 23 October 2001, for existing automated data and 23 October 2007 for manual records. Processing must have been in effect before 24 October 1998. Rules about export of data to non-EEA countries.,Oxford University, 29th June 2000,Some Effects on Colleges an
6、d Departments,Data subjects are students, staff, alumni, suppliers (sole traders or partnerships), tenants, legal advisers, fellows etc. Not people “acting in a capacity”. Anyone can be a data controller Dead people have no rights. Overseas transfers of data notably to U.S. Requirement to ensure dat
7、a is secure, accurate, sufficient but not excessive. Cant hold data longer than is reasonable.,Oxford University, 29th June 2000,Principles of the act 1.,Non-sensitive Personal data must be processed fairly and lawfully and shall not be processed unless one of the below is met (schedule 2). Consent
8、the most important Contract Legal Obligation Vital interests of subject (life or death!) Public functions Balance of interest,Oxford University, 29th June 2000,Sensitive Personal Data,Racial or ethnic origin Political opinions Religious/similar beliefs (note food!) Trade Union Membership Health Sexu
9、al Life Offences,Oxford University, 29th June 2000,Sensitive Personal Data,May only be held if one of the below is met: Explicit and informed consent Employment Law Vital Interests of Subject Legal Proceedings Medical Purposes (by medical professionals) Equal opportunities monitoring,Oxford Universi
10、ty, 29th June 2000,Consent,“Freely given specific and informed indication of wishes by which the data suject signifies agreement to personal data relating to him/her being processed.” Cant use implied consent must get forms back. Cant use blanket consent as condition of entry.,Oxford University, 29t
11、h June 2000,Fair processing,Must not intentionally or otherwise deceive or mislead subject as to purpose of data use/collection. Must identify to subject data controller/nominated representative. Must identify to subject purpose of processing data. Exceptions are disproportionate effort (direct mark
12、eting not allowed) or legal obligation.,Oxford University, 29th June 2000,Principles of the act 2.,Data must be obtained only for one or more specified lawful purposes. Must not use data for a new incompatible purpose without subjects consent. Have a data protection statement explaining what data wi
13、ll be held and why and get consent from new students/staff as they arrive. Old members data is a grey area for Colleges.,Oxford University, 29th June 2000,Principles of the act 3 & 4.,Personal data must be adequate, relevant and not excessive. Must not stock up on data without a reason that can be j
14、ustified consent! Personal data shall be accurate and up-to-date. This is an ongoing requirement and means data needs to be kept under constant review.,Oxford University, 29th June 2000,Principles of the act 5.,Personal data may not be kept for any longer than is necessary for its stated purpose(s).
15、 This potentially creates a problem with old staff/members data. Development offices beware! Consent from all new staff/members to keep their data after they have left as this is a different purpose to keeping it while they are here.,Oxford University, 29th June 2000,Principles of the act 6.,Persona
16、l data must be processed in accordance with the rights of data subjects This means that you cannot do things that violate the rights given to data subjects under the new act, especially denying access to data.,Oxford University, 29th June 2000,Rights of data subjects,Must be informed if personal dat
17、a are being processed and given a description of the personal data and for what purpise it is being held. May prevent processing for purposes of direct marketing. Right to see algorithms used in automated decision making (credit scoring etc.). Compensation, rectification, blocking, destruction.,Oxfo
18、rd University, 29th June 2000,Access rights,Right to have communicated to him/her in an intelligible form the information constituting the data. No right to rifle through filing systems, computers etc. Right to be informed of logic involved in automated processing. Request must be in writing, fee up
19、 to 10 may be charged and identity may be thoroughly checked.,Oxford University, 29th June 2000,Access rights 2.,Data may be witheld if disclosure would disclose data about a third party unless: Third party has consented to disclosure It is reasonable to comply without the third partys consent. Duty
20、 of confidentiality, steps taken to seek consent, express refusal of third party. Witnesses, confidential reports, access to references .,Oxford University, 29th June 2000,Access rights 3.,Dont have to disclose references you have written but must disclose those you have received unless the writer e
21、xplicitly asked them to kept confidential. 40 days to comply (or state reason for refusal to comply) with requests. Dont need to comply with repeat requests until a reasonable amount of time has elapsed. Dont need to comply if disproportionate effort would be involved. Subject must provide reasonabl
22、e data you request to assist in finding the data.,Oxford University, 29th June 2000,Enforced Access,It is an offence to force subjects to exercise their access rights to data held by others Includes data about cautions, criminal convictions and certain social security records,Oxford University, 29th
23、 June 2000,Right to prevent processing,Unwarranted substantial damage or distress to subject. 21 days to comply with request. Exemption if processing is necessary for performance of contract with subject or there is a legal obligation, or the vital interests of the subject are at stake.,Oxford Unive
24、rsity, 29th June 2000,Exemptions to access rights,Prevention and detection of crime Apprehension or prosecution of offenders Collection of tax or other duty Research, history, statistics. Exam marks 40 days after date of announcement or 5 months of access request. Confidential references.,Oxford Uni
25、versity, 29th June 2000,Principles of the act 7.,Technical or organisational measures must be taken to prevent unauthorised or unlawful processing of data and accidental loss, damage or destruction of data. First is related to IT support staff (backups, password security etc.) but everyone can help.
26、 Second is about being careful with keys, having access controls, CCTV monitoring etc. Beware social engineering!,Oxford University, 29th June 2000,Principles of the act 8.,Personal data may not be transferred overseas unless the receiving country has an adequate level of protection for it. US does
27、not. Putting things on a web site is tantamount to export of data. Transfer is OK if contract is in place with the abroad party or the subject has consented. Data Protection Commissioner is preparing standard contracts.,Oxford University, 29th June 2000,Notification,Colleges are legally separate ent
28、ities to The University so has to notify use to commissioner separately. Departments are not. This is like the old registration process under the old act. University counts as a third party in the case of Colleges. Penalties for failure to comply/notify are huge. Commissioner has draconian powers (s
29、earch & seize).,Oxford University, 29th June 2000,Key Points,Dont panic! Need to be seen to be aware of the act and working within it but the comissioner will be lenient at the start as the legislation is so complex. No case law yet many grey areas, but we dont want to be the test case! Dont write down anything you wouldnt say to someones face Avoid holding sensitive personal data if you can.,Oxford University, 29th June 2000,Resources,http:/www.dataprotection.gov.uk/http:/www.admin.ox.ac.uk/oxonly/dp/http:/users.ox.ac.uk/aesb/dpa.pptdata.protectionadmin.ox.ac.uk,
