Questionnaires assessing the operation of the Data Protection Act 1998, which came into force on 1st March 2000, have been sent to 150 organisations in the UK. However, the Home Office has said they are keen to hear from anyone with views on the Act and the questionnaire is available on-line for printing and completing.
The questionnaire focuses on those provisions which go beyond the 1984 Data Protection Act. Results will be reported to Ministers in the new year.
Launching the consultation exercise, Home Office Minister Mike O'Brien said:
"The 1998 Act heralded a new era of data protection rights for individuals, allied to new responsibilities for businesses and other organisations who process their personal data.
"The questionnaire has been developed in close co-operation with the Data Protection Commissioner, and will provide a valuable preliminary evaluation of the first six months' operation of the 1998 Act."