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Data Protection Act 2018 controls how your personal information is used by organisations, businesses or the government. It is the United Kingdom's implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Under the Data Protection Act 2018, you have the right to find out what information the government and other organisations store about you. These include the right to:

bEveryone responsible for using personal data has to follow strict rules called ‘data protection principles’. They must make sure the information is:

• used fairly, lawfully and transparently
• used for specified, explicit purposes
• used in a way that is adequate, relevant and limited to only what is necessary
• accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date
• kept for no longer than is necessary
• handled in a way that ensures appropriate security, including protection against unlawful or unauthorised processing, access, loss, destruction or damage

There is stronger legal protection for more sensitive information, such as:

• race
• ethnic background
• political opinions
• religious beliefs
• trade union membership
• genetics
• biometrics (where used for identification)
• health
• sex life or orientation

There are separate safeguards for personal data relating to criminal convictions and offences.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/data-protection