10. Exemptions from the Act.

Not everyone is automatically entitled to see the data which is held on them. There are certain circumstances under which data controllers are exempt from providing information to data subjects.

These are:

• National Security - If required for the purpose of safeguarding national security, data controllers do not have to disclose the data held to data subjects.
• Crime Data which is being held in order to prevent or detect a crime does not have to be disclosed.
• Taxation - any data collected for taxation purposes is exempt
• Heath, Education and Social Work
  • Personal data about the physical or mental health of the data subject. You have no automatic right to view your medical records. If a doctor believes that viewing them would harm your mental well being, they can be withheld from you.
  • Personal data relating to the present or past pupils of a school
  • Examination scripts and examination marks held by examination authorities
  • Personal data being processed by government departments or local authorities which is being used in the course of any investigation or monitoring.
• Personal data that could form part of a confidential reference (application for employment or a college course etc) is also exempt from access. This means that you have no legal right to ask to see a confidential or personal reference about yourself.