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ARTICLE · 24 MAY 2010

Data Protection – Closer to Home

Bird & Bird
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The regulatory regime overseeing data protection breaches has just got tougher. On 6 April 2010, new sections of the Data Protection Act came into force.

United KingdomEmployment and HR
Bird & Bird'S Labour & Employment Group
Bird & Bird'S Labour & Employment Group

Originally published May 2010

The regulatory regime overseeing data protection breaches has just got tougher.  On 6 April 2010, new sections of the Data Protection Act came into force. The Information Commissioner can now impose fines of up to £500,000 on "Data Controllers" for breaches without first going to court.  An employer is invariably the 'Data Controller' of personal data relating to its employees.  

Now is the time for employers to review how they handle, store and disseminate personal data to make sure that processes and procedures remain robust.  As a minimum first step, knowledge of the eight data protection principles in the 1998 Act should be refreshed and current practices for dealing with personal data in the following key areas should be considered:

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