Data Protection Act 2018UK · 2018 c. 12
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Sections

Section 8Lawfulness of processing: public interest etc

In Article 6(1) of the [F1UK GDPR] (lawfulness of processing), the reference in point (e) to processing of personal data that is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of F2... official authority includes processing of personal data that is necessary for—
  • (a)
    the administration of justice,
  • (b)
    the exercise of a function of either House of Parliament,
  • (c)
    the exercise of a function conferred on a person by an enactment or rule of law,
  • (d)
    the exercise of a function of the Crown, a Minister of the Crown or a government department, or
  • (e)
    an activity that supports or promotes democratic engagement.

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. 8 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. 11 (with reg. 5); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
  2. F2 Words in s. 8 omitted (5.2.2026) by virtue of Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), ss. 70(7), 142(1); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(c)

Commencement Information

  1. I1 S. 8 in force at 25.5.2018 by S.I. 2018/625, reg. 2(1)(b)