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ARTICLE · 26 SEPTEMBER 2023

New ICO Guidance On Processing Health Data In The UK

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The ICO has published detailed guidance on the obligations of employers who are processing their workers' health data.

United KingdomPrivacy
Meriel Schindler
Meriel Schindler
Claire Christy
Claire Christy
Hugh More
Hugh More
Libby Payne
Libby Payne
Christina Morton
Christina Morton
James Hockin
James Hockin
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The ICO has published detailed guidance on the obligations of employers who are processing their workers' health data. This follows a consultation with employers and other interested parties on the draft guidance.

Health data is categorised as special category personal data and is granted enhanced protection under the UK GDPR.

The first part of the guidance explains how the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018) applies to the employer. It addresses some tricky areas including:

  • The stricter statutory requirements that apply to processing special category data.
  • The requirements for providing employees with information about the employer's processing of their data.

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