What is the Freedom of Information Act UK?
The Freedom of Information Act was passed on 30 November 2000. It creates a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by most UK public authorities, including us. It also sets out exemptions and places a number of obligations on those public authorities.
What can be requested under the Freedom of Information Act?
Under the Freedom of Information Act and the Environmental Information Regulations you have a right to request any recorded information held by a public authority, such as a government department, local council or state school. You can ask for any information you think a public authority may hold.
What is not covered by Freedom of Information Act?
Recorded information includes printed documents, computer files, letters, emails, photographs, and sound or video recordings. The Act does not give people access to their own personal data (information about themselves) such as their health records or credit reference file.
Do you have to respond to a Freedom of Information request?
You normally have 20 working days to respond to a request. For a request to be valid under the Freedom of Information Act it must be in writing, but requesters do not have to mention the Act or direct their request to a designated member of staff. you cannot provide the requested information straight away; or.
What is exempt from the general right of access?
The Act creates a general right of access to information held by public bodies, but also sets out 23 exemptions where that right is either not allowed or is qualified. The exemptions relate to issues such as national security, law enforcement, commercial interests, and personal information.
Who is exempt from data protection act?
Some personal data has partial exemption from the rules of the DPA . The main examples of this are: The taxman or police do not have to disclose information held or processed to prevent crime or taxation fraud. Criminals cannot see their police files.
What constitutes a breach of data protection UK?
A personal data breach means a breach of security leading to the accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, unauthorised disclosure of, or access to, personal data. This includes breaches that are the result of both accidental and deliberate causes.
Is an email address considered personal data?
A name and a corporate email address clearly relates to a particular individual and is therefore personal data.
How do I know if ICO is exempt?
if you’re not sure if you’re exempt, you can take our online self-assessment at ico.org.uk/fee-checker.
Do I have to pay a data protection fee to ICO?
Every organisation or sole trader who processes personal information needs to pay a data protection fee to the ICO, unless they are exempt. We publish some of the information you provide on the register of controllers.
What happens if you don’t pay ICO fee?
What happens if I don’t pay my fee? We will send you a reminder explaining when you need to pay. If you don ‘t pay, or tell us why you are no longer required to pay a fee , we will issue a notice of intent 14 days after expiry. You will have 21 days to pay or make repre sentations.
What is considered personal data?
Personal data are any information which are related to an identified or identifiable natural person. For example, the telephone, credit card or personnel number of a person, account data, number plate, appearance, customer number or address are all personal data.
What is not personal information?
Non-Personal Information is traditionally information that may not directly identify or be used to contact a specific individual, such as an Internet Protocol (“IP”) address or mobile device unique identifier, particularly if that information is de-identified (meaning it becomes anonymous).
What are the examples of personal data?
Examples of personal data
- a name and surname;
- a home address;
- an email address such as [email protected];
- an identification card number;
- location data (for example the location data function on a mobile phone)*;
- an Internet Protocol (IP) address;
- a cookie ID*;
- the advertising identifier of your phone;