Ministers have yet to announce the commencement date.
When the 1998 Act is brought fully into force it will repeal the Data Protection Act 1984. Until then the 1984 Act will remain in force. I appreciate that data users will be anxious to develop an understanding of the new Act. I have therefore decided to issue preliminary guidance even though there is still a great deal of secondary legislation to be tabled. Those who expect guidance of the detail and authority provided in the Fourth Series of The Guidelines on the Data Protection Act 1984, published in September 1997, will be disappointed.