Personal Data and Special Category Personal Data

Personal data means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (‘data subject’); an identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as:

• name

• an identification number

• location data

• an online identifier

• one or more factors specific to physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity.

Special category personal data is more sensitive, so needs more protection. It is about an individual’s:

• health

• racial or ethnic origin

• religious beliefs or other similar beliefs

• trade union membership

• political opinions

• sex life

• sexual orientation

• genetics

• biometrics.

Criminal offence data is no longer classed as special category personal data but instead has separate safeguards covering criminal:

• allegations

• proceedings

• convictions.