Images of people are covered by the Data Protection Act, and so is information about people which is derived from images – for example, vehicle registration numbers. Most uses of CCTV by organisations or businesses will be covered by the Act, regardless of the number of cameras or how sophisticated the equipment is.
The Data Protection Act does not apply to individuals’ private or household purposes. So if you install a camera on your own home to protect it from burglary, the Act will not apply.
Download a copy of The Data Protection Act
The Data Protection Act 1998 requires every data controller (eg organisation, sole trader) who is processing personal information to register with the ICO, unless they are exempt. More than 370,000 organisations are currently registered.
To download a copy of The Data Protection Act (Revised 2008) please click on the following link:
Data Protection Act Rev 2008
To change your Registration
You can change your data protection register entry by emailing registration@ico.org.uk or calling the ICO helpline on 0303 123 1113.
You need to include your:
– registration number (eg Z5347709)
– security number (if you can’t find it, email us and we’ll resend it to the main contact)
We will let you know when we have made the change, and send you a copy of your amended register entry. Your changes will be dated from the day we receive your change request. If your business has changed its legal status (eg sole trader to limited company) you will need to submit a new registration. Registrations are not transferrable from one organisation to another.
Please note: we do not send automated responses to emails and we will only contact you if there is a problem with the change to your register entry.
To Cancel your Registration
To cancel your data protection register entry, email registration@ico.org.uk or call our helpline on 0303 123 1113.
You need to include your:
– registration number (eg Z5347709)
– security number (if you can’t find it, email us and we’ll resend it to the main contact)
If you are cancelling your registration and pay by direct debit, you’ll also need to cancel your direct debit with your bank or building society.