Data protection laws exist to protect people’s personal information from illicit use. The 2018 Data Protection Act guarantees this safety. It limits the use and distribution of data online. Find out what are the 7 principles of GDPR in the UK and what they mean to you. These key principles include:

  1. Justice and legal accountability
  2. Restricted to explicit purpose
  3. Limited to relevant data 
  4. Reliability of data 
  5. Not retained longer than necessary 
  6. Safety of data
  7. Responsibility for data 

The 7 Principles of GDPR in the UK

  • 1. Lawfulness, fairness, and transparency

Data collection and use is within the limits of the law. It should not impose unfair treatment on any individuals. Furthermore, the process should uphold transparency. The data should not be collected in a dubious manner. 

  • 2. Purpose limitation

The collection of data should be limited to the purpose for which it is needed. The use of data for any other purpose is also not permissible. The reasons for data collection must also fall under legal allowances. 

  • 3. Data minimization

The process of data collection should not be such that it becomes questionable. It should not result in exaggerated amounts of data being collected. It should be restricted to the data that is needed for the explicit purpose. Data collection should be limited to only the most necessary information.

  • 4. Accuracy

Data collectors must ensure the legitimacy of the data. The information must be reliable, up to date, and free of errors. Any identified inaccuracies in the data must be appropriately corrected. 

  • 5. Storage limitation

The collected data should not be held indefinitely. The holding period should not exceed the purpose of the acquisition. Data should not be held beyond the reasonable time limit. 

  • 6. Integrity and confidentiality

The act of data collection or processing should not put individuals at risk. The security of data is important to maintain across all domains. Data should be protected from loss, theft and unlawful access. 

  • 7. Accountability

Groups and organisations collecting the data are responsible for its safety. The responsible group must adhere to all previous principles of data collection. Therefore, non-compliance would initiate action against that group or organisation.

What does GDPR stand for

GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulation. It outlines laws and policies regarding the use of data. The data covered under this regulation involves personal data pertaining to individuals. It oversees the collection and use of data. The regulation came into effect to protect the privacy of individuals. It also ensures the maintenance of confidentiality. Various countries implement their version of the GDPR. Data protection laws maintain the safety of individuals while allowing legitimate use. 

How to be GDPR compliant

Compliance with GDPR principles is a matter of legal responsibility. Organisations must understand the rights of individuals before they collect or use data. This includes respect for their right to know about the collection and use of their data. Individuals also have the right to access, change, delete or refuse access to their data. 

That said, compliance involves taking responsibility for the data. Organisations should establish a legitimate purpose to collect or use data. They should also ensure they have rights to the data they are using. Consent from relevant parties is essential in data collection and processing. Individuals should also be aware of the collection and use of their personal data. Organisations must also ensure the process does not pose any risk to any individuals. 

When did GDPR come into force

The UK adopted the GDPR in 2018. The Data Protection Act implements the GDPR for monitoring the use of personal data. The Act also defines the legal obligations and limitations for organisations when collecting data. It also outlines the rights of individuals in relation to the use of their information. This Act further defines what are the 7 principles of GDPR.

What is GDPR compliance

Compliance with GDPR is the process of operations based on GDPR principles. It involves accepting the responsibility that comes with collecting and using personal information. GDPR compliance exists to protect the rights of all involved parties. It involves not simply stating compliance, but practically demonstrating it. It also saves organisations from penalties and legal actions against them. Governments can implement GDPR fines if organisations show non-compliance. These hefty fines serve the purpose of ensuring the correct, legitimate use of personal data

When did GDPR become law

The GDPR became a part of legislature in 2018. The European Union devised the law, therefore it is applicable to all countries under it. It even applies to organisations in business with the EU. The law became necessary due to large amounts of sensitive data storage online. With more data, greater amounts of cyberattacks have also occurred. Data security concerns require legal action to maintain the safety and security of personal information.

There has been especially a higher incidence of fraudulent emails. These target vulnerable individuals in an attempt to gain access to private information. The matter of user’s consent for the use of their data was also a matter for concern. This law also protects those rights and ensures safe and beneficial data usage.

Who does GDPR apply to

The GDPR itself applies to all EU bodies. This includes any organisations operating from within the EU. It also extends to organisations with operations or business in or with the EU. The same law was also adapted into UK legislation and is applicable here. Data protection laws apply to organisations who collect data for whatever purpose. They also concern users to whom the personal data pertains.

What does GDPR cover

As a data protection law, GDPR is concerned with its use. It is regulation for the collection, storage and use of such data. The law also acts to limit its use for the sake of end-user rights. It covers who can access user data and how they can use it. GDPR also considers the matter of user consent. The GDPR also outlines the conditions necessary for compliance by organisations. It further states penalties for non-compliance.