The UK data protection act 1984 and International writers

The UK Data Protection Act 1984 covers the collection, holding, manipulation and distribution of data concerning living individuals by computerized systems from within the United Kingdom. Individuals who visit the United Kingdom fall within the bounds of the Act as soon as they arrive in the UK. Although they may be exempt from the Act in relation to the data that they personally control within the UK, they could immediately be liable in connection with data held overseas — perhaps by their employer, client, or any other entity for whom they could be construed to be an agent. The paper covers the basic elements of the Act: the definition of Data, Personal Data, Data Subject, Data User, Computer Bureau, Processing, Preparing the Text of Documents, Transfer of Data, and the Territorial Scope of the Act. It covers why you might have to register, how to do it, and the implications.