Data Protection Act 2018UK · 2018 c. 12
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Data Protection Act 2018 (c. 12) – Section 5 – Definitions

Sections

Section 5Definitions

(1) Terms used in F1... this Part and in the [F2UK GDPR] have the same meaning in [F3this Part as] they have in the [F2UK GDPR].
(2) In subsection (1), the reference to a term's meaning in the [F4UK GDPR] is to its meaning in the [F4UK GDPR] read with any provision of [F5this Part] which modifies the term's meaning for the purposes of the [F4UK GDPR].
(3) Subsection (1) is subject to any provision in [F6this Part] which provides expressly for the term to have a different meaning and to section 204.
(4) F7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(5) F7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(6) F7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(7) A reference in F8... this Part to the processing of personal data is to processing to which [F9this Part] applies.
(8) Sections 3 and 205 include definitions of other expressions used in this Part.

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 Words in s. 5(1) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 6(2)(a) (with reg. 5); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
  2. F2 Words in s. 5(1) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 6(2)(b) (with reg. 5); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
  3. F3 Words in s. 5(1) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 6(2)(c) (with reg. 5); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
  4. F4 Words in s. 5(2) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 6(3)(a) (with reg. 5); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
  5. F5 Words in s. 5(2) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 6(3)(b) (with reg. 5); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
  6. F6 Words in s. 5(3) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 6(4) (with reg. 5); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
  7. F7 S. 5(4)(5)(6) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 6(5) (with reg. 5); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
  8. F8 Words in s. 5(7) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 6(6)(a) (with reg. 5); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
  9. F9 Words in s. 5(7) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 6(6)(b) (with reg. 5); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

  1. C1 S. 5: power to amend conferred (19.6.2025 for specified purposes, 20.8.2025 in so far as not already in force) by Regulation (EU) 679/2016, Art. 11A(3) (as inserted by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), ss. 74(1), 142(1)(2)(h); S.I. 2025/904, reg. 2(c))

Commencement Information

  1. I1 S. 5 in force at 25.5.2018 by S.I. 2018/625, reg. 2(1)(b)

https://dpa2018.digiphile.law/article/article-5.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.

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