Abstract :
The UK Data Protection Act 1984 covers the collection, holding, manipulation and distribution of data concerning living individuals by computerized systems from within the United Kingdom. Individuals who visit the UK fall within the bounds of the Act as soon as they arrive. Although they may be exempt from the Act in relation to the data that they personally control within the UK, they could immediately be liable in connection with data held overseas-perhaps by their employer, client, or any other entity for whom they could be construed to be an agent. The author covers the basic elements of the Act: the definition of data, personal data, data subject, data user, computer bureau, processing, preparing the text of documents, transfer of data, and the territorial scope of the Act. He covers who might have to register and why, how to register, and other implications of the Act.
