This new Act which fully comes into force on 24 October 2000 will regulate the gathering of personal data from visitors to websites and the provision of personal data about, for example, staff and clients or customers on site. The act also defines in Section 2 sensitive personal data, which includes personal data consisting of information as to such topic as racial or ethnic origins, political opinions, sexual life etcetera.
Explicit consent is required to the processing of such data.
In both of these cases under the new Act, the site owner may need to obtain the site visitors consent to processing of their personal data on the site. With this being the case all web sites which use these systems will have to now be redesigned so as to incorporate provisions for site visitors consents to be given and recorded. If you would like to discuss this further please contact Michael Franks or Dean Dunham of these offices. Under this new Act employees are entitled to be permitted by their employer to the following. To take a reasonable amount of time off during working hours in order to take such action which is necessary.