Sensitive Data

This is data that is best kept private or restricted to a small group of people.

For example, your medical records are sensitive data. You would expect a doctor or hospital to have access to it, but not Joe Bloggs down the street who can search the Internet!

In the commercial world sensitive data is anything that could have a significant impact on the business should it be disclosed to the wrong person. For example, comptetitors should not have access to contract details.

Under the Data Protection Act some things which are classed as Sensitive Personal Data include:

>racial or ethnic origin
>membership of a trade union
>criminal convictions or offences
>political opinions
>religious beliefs

2020-10