Ethical Issues

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Ethical Issues the Data Protection Act The
Data Protection Act
Caroline Dominey Data Protection Officer
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Introduction

• Came into force 1 March 2000
• Enforced by the Information Commissioner
• Protect the rights of individuals
• Responsibilities for data controllers

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What does the Act cover?

• She lives at 13 Hill View Terrace
• Mrs Jones (deceased) died of Pneumonia in 2001
• Peter Smith lives in Ottery St Mary and works at
  the University of Exeter
• I did not warm to Jane Thomas, she was rude and
  unkempt and I believe that she may have lied to
  me.
• James Dee was an active member of a Trade Union
  until he was convicted of theft.

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What does the Act cover?

• Personal data about identifiable living
  individuals, both facts and opinions about the
  individual
• Sensitive personal data
• Processing browsing, storing, collecting

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Data Protection Principles

• Personal data shall be processed fairly and
  lawfully.
• 2. Personal data shall be obtained only for one
  or more specified purposes, and shall not be
  processed in any manner incompatible with that
  purpose(s).
• 3. Personal data must be adequate, relevant and
  not excessive.
• 4. Personal data shall be accurate and, where
  necessary, kept up to date.

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Data Protection Principles
5. Personal data shall not be kept for longer
than is necessary. 6. Personal data shall be
processed in accordance with the Data Subjects
rights. 7. Personal data should be guarded
against accidental loss or destruction of or
damage to data. 8. Personal data shall not be
transferred data outside the EEA unless that
country ensures an adequate level of protection.
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Research exemptions in the Act
When processing data for Research if - the data
is not processed to support measures or decisions
with respect to particular individuals,and - the
processing of data will not cause substantial
damage distress to the data subject. Exempt
from principles 2, 5 and 6.
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DP Checklist

• Will you be collecting Personal Data?
• How will you obtain consent?
• How will participants be made aware of your
  processing?
• How will you store the Personal Data?
• Will you anonymise the data, if so how?
• How long will data be kept?
• How will data be disposed of?

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Further Information
Caroline Dominey Data Protection Officer Room
116, Northcote House dataprotection_at_ex.ac.uk Tel.
01392 263033 http//www.admin.ex.ac.uk/academic/d
atapro/