Data Protection Act Exemptions

The Data Protection Act was enforced to protect the individual and their personal information. However there are exemptions to this act. The first thing you need to know about the Data Protection Act is that it states an individual may request the information an organization has collected about them. The organization may charge a fee for this personal data and request the individual to verify their identity but they must allow the individual to obtain the data.

Now this is where the exemptions come into play. An individual may request and receive the personal data but not all of the information may be disclosed. The organization may "black out" or in some way cover up some of the personal data. At times perhaps saying that they hold no information that they are required to disclose. That means that the information has fallen under an exemption.

There are many exemptions in the Data Protection Act and there will be several that will be discussed here. One of the most important exemptions has to do with national security. With all the global terrorism that is going on these days this one has become very important. Information falling under a necessary measure to safeguard will be exempt. National security falls at the very top of that list.

Law enforcement also falls under these exemptions. Anything in the prevention, investigation, detection, and prosecution of a criminal offense is under exemption. Exemptions also apply to the assessment or collection of taxes. It is not always police officers that may use these exemptions but also banks and perhaps social security or tax agents. Any information that an individual would incriminate himself or herself in an offense will fall under the act.

Personal information that is used in research and historical or statistical purposes fall under exemption. Any data used for the purpose of journalism, literature or art may be exempt. Examination marks and examiner's comments are exempt for a limited amount of time. An individual may request this information forty days after the examination results have been given or five months after your request has been received.

Other exemptions of the Data Protection Act are things like data being used in connection with an individual and their family affairs. Also in situations like a legal professional privilege, such as a lawyer/client communication. Information that is readily made available to the public and information related to health, education, and social work records also have exemptions.

There are many exemptions to the Data Protection Act and you must follow these rules and regulations at all times. These exemptions are put here for certain purposes. The Data Protection Act is there to protect the individual not just the personal data. So by being aware that there are exemptions to the act everyone will hopefully be able to obtain what they need.