Collection

Data Protection Act 2018

The Data Protection Act updates our data protection laws for the digital age. It received Royal Assent on 23 May 2018.

Digital technology has transformed almost every aspect of our lives in the twenty years since the last Data Protection Act was passed.

Our new Data Protection Act:

  • makes our data protection laws fit for the digital age in which an ever increasing amount of data is being processed
  • empowers people to take control of their data
  • supports UK businesses and organisations through the change
  • ensures that the UK is prepared for the future after we have left the EU

The text of the Data Protection Act and related documents can be found here on legislation.gov.uk. Historical documents relating to the passage of the Act can be found on the Parliament website.

Documents

Published 23 May 2018
Last updated 19 August 2020 + show all updates
  1. Added National Security Certificates guidance.

  2. First published.