Data Protection Act 2018UK · 2018 c. 12
Digiphile
Data Protection Act 2018 (c. 12) – Section 119 – Inspection of personal data in accordance with international obligations

Sections

Section 119Inspection of personal data in accordance with international obligations

(1) The [F1Commission] may inspect personal data where the inspection is necessary in order to discharge an international obligation of the United Kingdom, subject to the restriction in subsection (2).
(2) The power under subsection (1) is exercisable only if the personal data—
  • (a)
    is processed wholly or partly by automated means, or
  • (b)
    is processed otherwise than by automated means and forms part of a filing system or is intended to form part of a filing system.
(3) The power under subsection (1) includes power to inspect, operate and test equipment which is used for the processing of personal data.
(4) Before exercising the power under subsection (1), the [F2Commission] must by written notice inform the controller and any processor that the [F2Commission] intends to do so.
(5) Subsection (4) does not apply if the [F2Commission] considers that the case is urgent.
(6) It is an offence—
  • (a)
    intentionally to obstruct a person exercising the power under subsection (1), or
  • (b)
    to fail without reasonable excuse to give a person exercising that power any assistance the person may reasonably require.
(7) Paragraphs (c) and (d) of section 3(14) do not apply to references in this section to personal data, the processing of personal data, a controller or a processor.

Amended text

This Section is shown as amended by the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), among other instruments (see the annotations below) (commenced provisions as at 30 September 2026, ELI), as incorporated in the text in force on 30 September 2026 as published on legislation.gov.uk.

Annotations

Textual Amendments

  1. F1 Word in s. 119(1) substituted (30.9.2026) by The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026 (S.I. 2026/386), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 23(2)(3); S.I. 2026/1015, reg. 2(c)
  2. F2 Word in s. 119(4)(5) substituted (30.9.2026) by The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026 (S.I. 2026/386), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 23(2)(3); S.I. 2026/1015, reg. 2(c)

Commencement Information

  1. I1 S. 119 in force at 25.5.2018 by S.I. 2018/625, reg. 2(1)(e)

https://dpa2018.digiphile.law/article/article-119.html

Text as at 18 September 2026.

This is an unofficial convenience version of the Data Protection Act 2018. It is presented “as is” without guarantee of accuracy, completeness or reliability. See the source text for the official version. This site was last updated in September 2026.

Type to search the full text.