General
Publishers
Developers
Data request questions
If you want to request restricted data you must submit a data request.
This involves answering the questions below to ensure your request meets data protection and data sharing requirements.
Some questions may require support from people with skills in:
- legal
- data protection
- data security
The questions may differ slightly depending on the nature of your request – for example, if you’re requesting personal data and special category data.
During the process there are suggestions for how to answer each question.
The questions you need to answer
1. About your project
- What type of data do you need?
- Who are the data subjects?
- What are the aims of your project?
- How will the data you want help achieve this?
- What data from this data set do you need?
- How will your project benefit the public?
- Will other organisations need access to this data?
- How will it impact your project if you don't get this data?
- When do you need the data?
2. Legal
- Are you requesting this data under a legal power?
3. Data protection
- What is your lawful basis for requesting personal data under UK GDPR? Find out more about processing personal data
- What is your lawful basis for requesting special category data under UK GDPR? Find out more about special category data
- What is the substantial public interest for requesting special category data under UK GDPR?
- Will any of this data leave the UK? For example, if any processing will happen outside the UK
- What will be the role of your organisation under UK GDPR? For example, data controller (joint or independent) or data processor
4. Data security
- How will you ensure that this data is deleted when your project finishes?
You'll need to confirm that you’ve had your answers checked by people with the appropriate legal, data protection and data security knowledge and expertise.
This will minimise delays and make it more likely that your request is approved.