6.2.1

Data Protection Act (1998)

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Data Protection Act (1998)

As the quantity of sensitive data stored about users increases, it is important that legislation is in place to protect it.

Purpose of the DPA

Purpose of the DPA

  • The DPA was first published in 1998.
  • It determines what organisations can do with the personal data that they have collected.
  • The DPA also defines the rights of the individual over the data that is stored about them.
  • In 2018, the DPA was strengthened by the introduction of a new act called General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Principles of the DPA

Principles of the DPA

  • There are eight principles (rules) in the DPA.
  • The first four rules are:
    • Data must be used and processed in a fair and lawful way.
    • Data must only be used for the stated purpose.
    • Data must be adequate, relevant and not excessive for the specified use.
    • Data must be accurate and kept up-to-date.
Principles of the DPA

Principles of the DPA

  • There are eight principles (rules) in the DPA.
  • The second four rules are:
    • Data should not be kept longer than necessary.
    • Data should only be used according to the rights of the data subject.
    • Data should be kept safe and secure.
    • Data must not be transferred to organisations within other countries that do not offer a similar level of protection.
The Data Protection Act 2018

The Data Protection Act 2018

  • The Data Protection Act 2018 is an updated data protection law, that brings the EU GDPR to UK law.
  • The Data Protection Act 1998 formed the origins of the GDPR law, but each act has its differences.
    • The 'right to erasure' in each act is different - there are more exemptions in the 2018 version.
  • The Data Protection Act 2018 requires companies to run a GDPR audit.

Computer Misuse Act (1990)

The Computer Misuse Act (1990) was introduced to protect against hacking and cybercrime. It consists of three offences:

Unauthorised access

Unauthorised access

  • It is illegal to attempt to access a computer or its contents without authorisation.
Unauthorised access with intent

Unauthorised access with intent

  • It is illegal to attempt to access a network or device with the intent of committing further criminal activity.
Unauthorised modification

Unauthorised modification

  • It is illegal to intend to modify or destroy a computer system, software or data without authorisation.
  • For example, this makes creating, obtaining or deploying malware a criminal offence.

Freedom of Information Act (2000)

The freedom of information (FOI) act regards how data is kept within public bodies.

What is a public body?

What is a public body?

  • A public body is an organisation that provides a public service.
  • Public bodies include:
    • Hospitals.
    • Schools.
    • Police forces.
    • Armed forces.
    • Government.
What is the FOI act?

What is the FOI act?

  • The FOI act states that public bodies must regularly publish certain information.
  • It also gives members of the public the right to request information that is held by public bodies.
What can be requested?

What can be requested?

  • Members of the public can request:
    • CCTV footage.
    • Statistics.
    • Financial information.
    • Activity logs.
  • The public body does not need to release the information if releasing the information would cause harm to an individual or endanger national security.
Jump to other topics
1

Computational Thinking & Algorithms

1.1

Computational Thinking

1.1.1Abstraction Thinking1.1.2Decomposition Thinking1.1.3Algorithmic Thinking
1.2

Algorithms

1.2.1Algorithms1.2.2Pseudocode1.2.3Flow Diagrams1.2.4Logical Reasoning & Debugging1.2.5Reading Algorithms1.2.6Correcting Algorithms1.2.7Complete the Algorithm1.2.8Search Algorithms1.2.9Linear Search1.2.10Binary Search1.2.11Sort Algorithms1.2.12Bubble Sort1.2.13Insertion Sort1.2.14End of Topic Test - Algorithms
2

Programming

2.1

Programming Fundamentals

2.1.1Variables & Constants2.1.2Comments2.1.3Input & Output2.1.4Arithmetic Operators2.1.5Relational Operators2.1.6Boolean Operators2.1.7Sequence2.1.8Selection2.1.9Iteration2.1.10Subroutines2.1.11Scope2.1.12Data Types2.1.13Casting2.1.14Arrays2.1.152D Arrays2.1.16Lists2.1.172D Lists2.1.18Strings2.1.19Syntax Errors2.1.20Logic Errors2.1.21Runtime Errors2.1.22End of Topic Test - Programming
2.2

Designing Code

2.2.1Code2.2.2Programs2.2.3Writing Your Own Program2.2.4Designing a ‘Basketball’ Game2.2.5Turning an Algorithm into an App2.2.6End of Topic Test - Designing Code
2.3

Python

2.3.1Introduction to Python2.3.2Input2.3.3Output2.3.4Casting2.3.5Type Coercion2.3.6Selection2.3.7Iteration2.3.8Files2.3.9File Handling2.3.10Identifiers2.3.11Whitespace2.3.12Comments2.3.13Exceptions
3

Hardware & Software

3.1

Hardware

3.1.1Elements of Computer Systems3.1.2Central Processing Unit (CPU)3.1.3Registers of the Central Processing Unit (CPU)3.1.4Factors Affecting CPU Performance3.1.5Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle3.1.6Binary Systems3.1.7Logic Circuits3.1.8Boolean Logic3.1.9End of Topic Test - Logic
3.2

Software

3.2.1System Software
4

Data

4.1

Representing Data

4.1.1Binary4.1.2Converting Binary & Hexadecimal4.1.3Converting Denary & Hexadecimal4.1.4Binary Arithmetic4.1.5Representing Sound4.1.6Representing Images4.1.7Character Sets4.1.8American Standard Code for Information Interchange4.1.9Unicode4.1.10End of Topic Test - Representation
5

The Internet

5.1

Networks

5.1.1Networks5.1.2Geographical Classification of Networks5.1.3What is the Internet?5.1.4The World Wide Web5.1.5Uniform Resource Locators (URLs)5.1.6Web Hosting5.1.7HTML5.1.8Searching the World Wide Web5.1.9Good Searching Tips5.1.10Are You Looking at Reliable Information?
6

Online Safety & Security

6.1

Protecting Yourself Online

6.1.1Digital Footprints6.1.2Leaving a Safe Online Footprint6.1.3Online Safety6.1.4Malware - Viruses6.1.5Malware6.1.6People Online6.1.7Your Feelings6.1.8Getting Help
6.2

Computing and the Law

6.2.1Data Protection Act (1998)6.2.2Computer Misuse Act (1990)6.2.3Freedom of Information Act (2000)6.2.4Plagiarism6.2.5Copyright6.2.6Copyright Designs and Patents Act (1988)6.2.7Creative Commons Licensing

Practice questions on Data Protection Act (1998)

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Principles of the Data Protection Act:Fill in the list
  2. 2
    The Data Protection Act defines the rights of the individual over what?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    What is the short name of the new data regulation, introduced in 2018?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    How many offences are covered by the computer misuse act?Multiple choice
  5. 5
    A cleaner has found that a computer in an office has been left unlocked. The cleaner uses the computer to check their emails. Is this a breach of the computer misuse act?Multiple choice
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Computer Misuse Act (1990)