Special categories of personal data

Personal data revealing racial or ethnic origin.
Political opinions.
Religious or philosophical beliefs.
Trade union membership.
Genetic data and biometric data processed for the purpose of uniquely identifying a natural person.
Data concerning health.

What is not a special category of personal data?
What is special category data vs personal data?
What does special category data mean?

What is not a special category of personal data?

Personal data about criminal allegations, proceedings or convictions is not special category data. However, there are similar rules and safeguards for processing this type of data, to deal with the particular risks associated with it.

What is special category data vs personal data?

Special category data is personal data that needs more protection because it is sensitive. In order to lawfully process special category data, you must identify both a lawful basis under Article 6 of the UK GDPR and a separate condition for processing under Article 9. These do not have to be linked.

What does special category data mean?

Special category data can be factual or inferred information about an individual. If you are intentionally processing data to infer details that fall within the special categories of data such as a person's ethnic origin or political opinions then this is considered special category data.