What information does the GDPR apply to?

• Personal data
  
  
  The GDPR applies to ‘personal data’ meaning any information relating to an identifiable person who can be directly or indirectly identified in particular by reference to an identifier.
  This definition provides for a wide range of personal identifiers to constitute personal data, including name, identification number, location data or online identifier, reflecting changes in technology and the way organisations collect information about people.
  The GDPR applies to both automated personal data and to manual filing systems where personal data are accessible according to specific criteria. This could include chronologically ordered sets of manual records containing personal data.
  Personal data that has been pseudonymised – eg key-coded – can fall within the scope of the GDPR depending on how difficult it is to attribute the pseudonym to a particular individual.

• Sensitive personal data
  
  
  The GDPR refers to sensitive personal data as “special categories of personal data” (see Article 9).
  The special categories specifically include genetic data, and biometric data where processed to uniquely identify an individual.
  Personal data relating to criminal convictions and offences are not included, but similar extra safeguards apply to its processing.
  
  Check back tomorrow for more information on how you can become compliant with the new regulations.