Data Protection and Compliance, 2nd Edition

1 INTRODUCTION TO DATA PROTECTION

Stewart Room

This chapter acts as the foundation stone for all the issues discussed in this book. It introduces the core aims and objectives of data protection; explains how the topic relates to the right to privacy; provides illustrations of some of the critical priorities in this area; and identifies the main sources of law.

WHAT IS DATA PROTECTION?

The idea of ‘data protection’ can be looked at in several ways. In an operational sense, it means achieving predefined outcomes during the collection, use and storage of personal data, which is called ‘data processing’. In a legal sense, it means the regulatory framework that governs these activities. In a colloquial and limited sense, it is sometimes viewed ...