Sensitive personal data
Also known as: special category data
Sensitive personal data (also called special category data) includes personal data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, genetic data, biometric data used for identification, data concerning health, or data concerning a person's sex life or sexual orientation. Processing this category of data requires additional justification beyond a standard lawful basis.
DPA reference
Data Protection Act 2020, s.2
Related terms in Key concepts
Anonymisation
Altering personal data so that individuals can no longer be identified, directly or indirectly.
Automated decision-making
Making decisions solely by automated means, without human involvement, that significantly affect individuals.
Beneficial ownership
The natural person who ultimately owns or controls a legal entity.
Biometric data
Unique physical or behavioural characteristics used to identify an individual, such as fingerprints.