Your information rights

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives people a general right of access to information held by most public authorities. Aimed at promoting a culture of openness and accountability across the public sector, it enables a better understanding of how public authorities carry out their duties, why they make the decisions they do and how they spend public money.

The Environmental Information Regulations 2004 provide an additional means of access for people who want environmental information. The Regulations cover more organisations than the Freedom of Information Act, including some private sector bodies, and have fewer exceptions.

The Data Protection Act 1998 gives people important rights including the right to know what information is held about them and the right to correct information that is wrong. The Data Protection Act protects the interests of individuals by obliging organisations to manage personal information responsibly.

The Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 support the Data Protection Act by regulating the use of electronic communications for unsolicited marketing to individuals and organisations.

Data protection – the 30 second expert

  • The Data Protection Act protects your personal information.
  • The Act ensures your personal information is fairly and lawfully processed, for specified purposes only.
  • It ensures the information held about you is adequate, relevant and not excessive.
  • It ensures the information is accurate and up to date, and kept no longer than necessary.It also ensures your information is kept securely.
  • The Act gives you the right to see the personal information held about you, and to correct it if it is wrong. It also gives you the right to stop unwanted direct marketing materials being sent to you.
  • If you feel your rights have been breached, you can ask the ICO to help

Freedom of information – the 30 second expert

  • The Freedom of Information Act gives you the right to know - you can request information held by public authorities.
  • Information must be disclosed unless there is a good reason not to.
  • The public interest is usually considered when deciding whether or not to release the information.
  • The Act covers around 115,000 public bodies.
  • It encourages open government, challenges unnecessary official secrecy, improves the quality of decision-making and increases accountability for public duties and spending of public money.
  • It improves understanding of and trust in public authorities.
  • If you feel your rights to public information have been breached, you can ask the ICO to help.