Lawfulness, Fairness, and Transparency

The principles of lawfulness, fairness, and transparency form the cornerstone of data protection under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the UK Data Protection Act 2018. These fundamental concepts ensure that organisations process personal data in a manner that is legal, ethical, and open. Lawfulness requires that data processing activities have a valid legal basis, such as consent, contractual necessity, or legitimate interests. This principle safeguards individuals' rights and ensures that organisations have a justifiable reason for handling personal information.

Fairness in data processing goes hand in hand with lawfulness, emphasising that organisations must consider the impact of their data handling practices on individuals. This principle requires that data processing should not be deceptive or misleading, and should align with the reasonable expectations of the data subjects. Transparency, the third key principle, mandates that organisations provide clear, accessible information about their data processing activities. This includes informing individuals about what data is being collected, how it will be used, and with whom it may be shared, thereby empowering data subjects to make informed decisions about their personal information.