Special category data
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The Data (Use and Access) Act 2026 got Royal Assent on 19 June 2025. All the provisions affecting data protection law and the Privacy and Electronic Regulations Communications are now in force. The Department for Science and Innovation (DSIT) has set out the commencement plans. You can find more details on the Gov.uk website.
This guidance discusses special category data in detail. Read it if you have detailed questions not answered in the Guide, or if you need a deeper understanding of the conditions for processing special category data to help you comply in practice. It is aimed at DPOs and those with specific data protection responsibilities in larger organisations.
If you haven’t yet read the 'in brief’ page on special category data in the Guide to Data Protection, you should read that first. It introduces the topic and sets out the key points you need to know, along with practical checklists to help you comply.