<P> Section 1 defines `` personal data '' as any data that can be used to identify a living individual . Anonymised or aggregated data is less regulated by the Act , providing the anonymisation or aggregation has not been done in a reversible way . Individuals can be identified by various means including their name and address , telephone number or email address . The Act applies only to data which is held , or intended to be held , on computers ( ' equipment operating automatically in response to instructions given for that purpose ' ) , or held in a ' relevant filing system ' . </P>
the data protection act regulates the collection storage and processing of personal data relating to
any data that can be used to identify a living individual