This Briefing explains everything you need to know about the Data Protection Act 1998 and what it means for UK charities and arts organisations. Virtually all groups and organisations hold data of some sort, electronically or in hard copy, and there are certain responsibilities to bear in mind when handling or sharing this information.

This short guide outlines:

• The purpose of the Act
• Who and what the Act covers
• Good practice approaches to data protection
• Definitions of key terms used in the Act
• Steps to ensure you are handling your data correctly

Note: The new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) takes effect from 25 May 2018. We have developed a new resource to reflect the changing requirements and responsibilities that come with this new EU regulation. Read Briefing 173: GDPR - Data Protection.