Special category data

At a glanceThere are various types of particularly sensitive personal data known as special category data. This includes political opinions.In order to process special category data, you need to identify a lawful basis under Article 6 and a separate condition under Article 9 of the UK GDPR. The DPA introduces additional conditions and safeguards.In most circumstances, you should not use special category data, inferred or otherwise, to target individuals with political messaging without the explicit consent of the individual. There is a qualified condition in the DPA for registered political parties to process political opinion data. You must have an “appropriate policy document” in place to rely on this condition.There is another condition for processing special category data belonging to members of not-for-profit bodies with a political, philosophical, religious or trade union aim and those who the bodies regularly contact.There is a further condition of explicit consent that you can...