Archives and data protection law in the UK

As of 25 May 2018, there are new laws around data protection in the UK.

The Data Protection Act 1998 has been replaced by The Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018). This results from new legislation in the EU: the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The DPA 2018 makes additional provisions around areas not covered by GDPR.

These web pages provide an overview of the key implications of the new legislation for archives and archiving.

Archives and data protection law in the UK - an overview

The National Archives has co-produced detailed guidance about data protection legislation.

Archives and data protection: why archives and what is in scope

Archives are our collective and personal memory, a unique and irreplaceable part of our heritage.

Archives and GDPR: frequently asked questions

General Data Protection Act 1998 vs Data Protection legislation 2018 Exemptions Data Subjects and their rights Complementary legislation Accessioning records and providing access General Where can I find general advice? For guidance on generic data protection issues, such as managing data about service users, please see the range of guidance published by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).