Why Is the Data Protection Act Important?
The Data Protection Act allows businesses and corporations to store and record key information about customers, clients and staff, which ultimately preserves key records on the people living and working in various locations. The Data Protection Act was enacted in the second half of the 20th century to allow companies to store critical information about customers and staff using computer-based databases. Ultimately, it compiles information that can be easily searched and stored, allowing governments and authorized personnel quick and easy access to critical data.
The Data Protection Act essentially keeps data stored in multiple locations. It maintains basic and standard information for people living in a variety of locations, including name, date of birth, address, contact information, employment history, medical conditions, convictions and credit history. The Data Protection Act stores data electronically in addition to the paper-based records used by organizations such as companies, hospitals and doctor’s offices. The Data Protection Act configures storage databases in a network format, which allows computers and records worldwide to easily exchange and reciprocate information. The act also protects fraudulent activity and unauthorized access to information by allowing computers to store and process personal information and restricting access to certain individuals. In doing so, the act prevents people from tampering with critical information.
