Nineteen Eighty-Four

As we continue to think about the data protection act, and how it affects our lives. Data has become one of the most valuable resources in the world, it is used to sell us goods, to keep tabs on us, to make sure we pay our bills and our taxes. It is used to protect us from criminals, to give us access to services and even to help companies make financial descisions regarding us.

There are eight principals which all "data controllers" that is people or organisations who hold data on individuals (thats you) must adhere to.

These principles require the data controller to:

1. process personal data fairly and lawfully.
2. obtain personal data only for one or more specified and lawful purposes and to ensure that such data is not processed in a manner which is incompatible with the purpose or purposes for which it was obtained.
3. ensure that personal data is adequate, relevant and not excessive for the purpose or purposes for which it is held.
4. ensure that personal data is accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date.
5. ensure that personal data is not kept for any longer than is necessary for the purpose for which it was obtained.
6. process personal data in accordance with the rights of the individuals to whom the information relates.
7. ensure that personal data is kept secure.
8. ensure that personal data is not transferred to a country outside the European Economic Area unless the country to which the information is to be sent ensures an adequate level of protection for the rights.

Read about what the act means on the information comissioners website and also read a little about a book called 1984 which was written by a man called George Orwell, and use this as inspiration for your work.

Write an imaginative story about what the world would be like if we did not have the data protection act and similar laws to protect us. What would happen if these laws were taken away? If you are under 13 your story should be at least 400 words, 13 and over it should be 600.

http://ico.gov.uk/eventual.aspx?id=1037&expmovie=1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nineteen_Eighty-Four

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