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GDPR: What is Sensitive Personal Data?

Posted by Data Send UK / Written by Tony Stewart

Introduction
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a comprehensive data protection law that was implemented by the European Union in 2018 to regulate the processing of personal data. One of the key aspects of GDPR is the protection of sensitive personal data. In this article, we will explore what sensitive personal data is and why it requires special protection under the GDPR.

What is Sensitive Personal Data?
Sensitive personal data, also known as special categories of personal data under the GDPR, refers to information that is considered more sensitive and therefore requires extra protection. This type of data is considered to be more private and can potentially lead to discrimination or harm if misused. The GDPR specifically identifies the following categories of sensitive personal data:

1. Racial or ethnic origin
2. Political opinions
3. Religious or philosophical beliefs
4. Trade union membership
5. Genetic data
6. Biometric data for the purpose of uniquely identifying a natural person
7. Health data
8. Data concerning a person's sex life or sexual orientation

Why is it Important to Protect Sensitive Personal Data?
Sensitive personal data requires special protection because of the potential risks associated with its processing. If this data is mishandled or falls into the wrong hands, it can lead to discrimination, identity theft, financial loss, or other serious consequences for the individuals concerned. Therefore, it is essential for organisations to take extra precautions when processing sensitive personal data to ensure the privacy and security of individuals' information.

Under the GDPR, organisations that process sensitive personal data are required to adhere to stricter data protection requirements. This includes obtaining explicit consent from individuals to collect and process their sensitive personal data, implementing appropriate security measures to safeguard this data, and ensuring that it is only used for legitimate purposes. This also includes the transfer of sensitive personal data within the UK & EU. The 'Secure File Delivery Service' provided by Data Send UK, takes care of the compliance issues for you and makes sending sensitive data a simple process.

Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failure to comply with the GDPR's requirements for processing sensitive personal data can result in severe penalties, including fines of up to 4% of the organisation's annual global turnover or €20 million, whichever is higher. Therefore, it is crucial for organisations that handle sensitive personal data to understand their obligations under the GDPR and take proactive steps to ensure compliance.

Conclusion
Sensitive personal data plays a crucial role in individuals' privacy and should be handled with utmost care and attention. Under the GDPR, organisations have a legal obligation to protect sensitive personal data and ensure that it is processed in a secure and responsible manner. By understanding what constitutes sensitive personal data and implementing the necessary safeguards, organisations can demonstrate their commitment to data protection and build trust with their customers and stakeholders.