Data Protection - Frequently Asked Questions
2. What types of information are covered by the Data Protection Act, 1998?
3. What is meant by the term ‘processing data’?
4. What sort of information does East Devon District Council keep?
5. Can I use e-mail to make a subject access request?
6. Can I obtain all information held about me by the Council?
7. What if I think information held about me if wrong?
8. What if I am not satisfied with the actions of the Council regarding my information?
9. Bogus Agencies – What if I receive a letter demanding money for registering for data protection?
Personal data is information about a living individual from which that person can be identified. Information about deceased individuals is not covered.
2. What types of information are covered by the Data Protection Act, 1998?
The information may be stored in the following formats:
•Computerised database
•Paper filing system
•Photographs (including scanned images)
•C.C.T.V footage
3. What is meant by the term ‘processing data’?
Processing data means how the Council collects, handles, disseminates, stores and disposes of personal information.
4. What sort of information does East Devon District Council keep?
The Council holds a wide variety of personal information which is used to provide services efficiently and effectively, covering:
•our customers;
•members of the public;
•our business partners;
•other local authorities or public bodies;
•our employees or their families;
•members of the council.
Examples of personal data include:
•Names and addresses
•Telephone numbers and e-mail addresses
•Postcodes
•Financial detail for items such as housing benefit or council tax claim
•Details of family members or co-habitants
5. Can I use e-mail to make a subject access request?
Yes. However, you must still provide proof of identity/authority to the Council so that we can verify who you are and that you are allowed to access the personal information requested. You can download the 
Subject Access Request letter (70KB - PDF Help) which you will need to complete, sign and post to the above address. We cannot accept a request without the signature of the person making the request.
6. Can I obtain all information held about me by the Council?
No, not always. The Data Protection Act, 1998, contains a number of exemptions. The main exemptions are:
•Law enforcement
•National Security
•Personal information about someone else
•Information that would identify someone who has supplied information about you.
7. What if I think information held about me if wrong?
The Act gives you the right to have inaccurate data about yourself corrected. If you believe that any of the information held by the Council is inaccurate, please inform the Data Protection Officer at:
Postal Address:
East Devon District Council; Council Offices; Sidmouth; Devon; EX10 8HL
Telephone: (01395) 516551 ext.2332
E-mail: dmeakin@eastdevon.gov.uk
Please put your query in writing clearly stating what the error is. If it is agreed that the information is incorrect, we will correct it. Opinions cannot be challenged unless they are based on incorrect facts.
8. What if I am not satisfied with the actions of the Council regarding my information?
If you are unhappy with the way your request was handled or if you have a complaint about access which was not resolved by the Council’s Data Protection Officer, please contact the Information Commissioner at:
Postal address:
The Office of the Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Telephone number: 01625 545745
Website: www.ico.gov.uk
9. Bogus Agencies – What if I receive a letter demanding money for registering for data protection?
It has come to the attention of the Information Commissioner that bogus agencies exist which set out to falsely charge businesses a fee for data protection registration. For businesses that do hold personal data, there is a statutory fee of £35 on which no VAT is payable which should be paid to the Office of the Information Commissioner. These bogus agencies will often charge £35 plus VAT, £95 plus VAT or £135. The names and addresses of the bogus agencies known to the Office of the Information Commissioner are listed on its website. If you receive a visit or a letter from anyone representing such agencies, please contact the Information Commissioner at:
Postal address:
The Office of the Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Telephone number: 01625 545745
Website: www.ico.gov.uk
Kate Symington
Data Protection Officer
East Devon District Council
Council Offices
Knowle
Sidmouth
EX10 8HL
Telephone 01395 516551
e-mail ksymington@eastdevon.gov.uk
