6.2.1

Data Protection Act (1998)

Test yourself

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.

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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).
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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.
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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.
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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:

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Unauthorised access

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

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

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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.
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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.
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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

1Computational Thinking & Algorithms

1.1Computational Thinking

1.1.1Abstraction Thinking

1.1.2Decomposition Thinking

1.1.3Algorithmic Thinking

1.2Algorithms

1.2.1Algorithms

1.2.2Pseudocode

1.2.3Flow Diagrams

1.2.4Logical Reasoning & Debugging

1.2.5Reading Algorithms

1.2.6Correcting Algorithms

1.2.7Complete the Algorithm

1.2.8Search Algorithms

1.2.9Linear Search

1.2.10Binary Search

1.2.11Sort Algorithms

1.2.12Bubble Sort

1.2.13Insertion Sort

1.2.14End of Topic Test - Algorithms

2Programming

2.1Programming Fundamentals

2.1.1Variables & Constants

2.1.2Comments

2.1.3Input & Output

2.1.4Arithmetic Operators

2.1.5Relational Operators

2.1.6Boolean Operators

2.1.7Sequence

2.1.8Selection

2.1.9Iteration

2.1.10Subroutines

2.1.11Scope

2.1.12Data Types

2.1.13Casting

2.1.14Arrays

2.1.152D Arrays

2.1.16Lists

2.1.172D Lists

2.1.18Strings

2.1.19Syntax Errors

2.1.20Logic Errors

2.1.21Runtime Errors

2.1.22End of Topic Test - Programming

2.2Designing Code

2.2.1Code

2.2.2Programs

2.2.3Writing Your Own Program

2.2.4Designing a ‘Basketball’ Game

2.2.5Turning an Algorithm into an App

2.2.6End of Topic Test - Designing Code

2.3Python

2.3.1Introduction to Python

2.3.2Input

2.3.3Output

2.3.4Casting

2.3.5Type Coercion

2.3.6Selection

2.3.7Iteration

2.3.8Files

2.3.9File Handling

2.3.10Identifiers

2.3.11Whitespace

2.3.12Comments

2.3.13Exceptions

3Hardware & Software

3.1Hardware

3.1.1Elements of Computer Systems

3.1.2Central Processing Unit (CPU)

3.1.3Registers of the Central Processing Unit (CPU)

3.1.4Factors Affecting CPU Performance

3.1.5Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle

3.1.6Binary Systems

3.1.7Logic Circuits

3.1.8Boolean Logic

3.1.9End of Topic Test - Logic

3.2Software

3.2.1System Software

4Data

4.1Representing Data

4.1.1Binary

4.1.2Converting Binary & Hexadecimal

4.1.3Converting Denary & Hexadecimal

4.1.4Binary Arithmetic

4.1.5Representing Sound

4.1.6Representing Images

4.1.7Character Sets

4.1.8American Standard Code for Information Interchange

4.1.9Unicode

4.1.10End of Topic Test - Representation

5The Internet

5.1Networks

5.1.1Networks

5.1.2Geographical Classification of Networks

5.1.3What is the Internet?

5.1.4The World Wide Web

5.1.5Uniform Resource Locators (URLs)

5.1.6Web Hosting

5.1.7HTML

5.1.8Searching the World Wide Web

5.1.9Good Searching Tips

5.1.10Are You Looking at Reliable Information?

6Online Safety & Security

6.1Protecting Yourself Online

6.1.1Digital Footprints

6.1.2Leaving a Safe Online Footprint

6.1.3Online Safety

6.1.4Malware - Viruses

6.1.5Malware

6.1.6People Online

6.1.7Your Feelings

6.1.8Getting Help

6.2Computing and the Law

6.2.1Data Protection Act (1998)

6.2.2Computer Misuse Act (1990)

6.2.3Freedom of Information Act (2000)

6.2.4Plagiarism

6.2.5Copyright

6.2.6Copyright Designs and Patents Act (1988)

6.2.7Creative Commons Licensing

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Computer Misuse Act (1990)