The 1984 Data Protection Act did not make the mark on British life that might have been expected. Only 40% of the organisations required to register ever did. Along comes the 1998 Data Protection Act that affects all data users even if they do not need to notify - as registration is now called - AND EXTENDS TO PAPER RECORDS as well as computer files.Ticher's slim volume is a handy briefing for organisations in the voluntary sector who have yet to prepare for the implications of the new law. It is something of a preliminary work as interpretations of some parts of the law have not been resolved, but the author helpfully indicates the current state of play and his thoughts on the likely outcome.
A highlight is a number of helpful checklists and questions to use in evaluating what changes need to be made in certain areas to comply with the law. Ticher also includes hypothetical examples from the charity world to illustrate and flesh out major points.
This is not really a book for the casual reader as it concentrates on the technical aspects in this area. However, features -- such as the inclusion of sample policies that can be adapted for any organisation and even guidelines and a handout for a non-technical briefing for co-workers on compliance -- make this nearly a must-buy for the person in any voluntary body responsible for implementation.
It is too early to tell what real impact the 98 law will make, but it does have more bite than its predecessor and the extension to paper records is likely to lead to countless people exercising their legal right to see what personal information charities have in their files. As voluntary organisations will need to comply with all the Act's provisions by 24 October 2001, every organisation should be encouraged to buy a copy of this book and to buy it now.
