Rights Protection

With regard to data protection, the Government strategy is to make data controllers aware of their responsibilities under the Data Protection Act 2002 and the Unsolicited Communications Regulations 2005, regarding their use and control of personal data collected via the Internet or e-mail. Likewise, data subjects have to be aware of their rights and the sanctions and remedies available when their rights are contravened. In particular, the seventh data protection principle is the "security principle", and anyone conducting business via this medium must ensure that they have taken appropriate security measures against unauthorised access to or alteration, disclosure or destruction of personal data and against accidental loss or destruction of personal data. This should be of concern to all e-traders.

It is Government's belief that consumer confidence will be enhanced by the existence of adequate data protection laws, as it provides remedies in law including compensation for breaches of data subjects' rights.

Please visit the Office of Data Protection Supervisor web site for further information and to download a copy of the Act.