Data Protection & Freedom of Information Office

Inaccurate Personal Data

The accuracy principle of the GDPR states that personal data shall be "accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date".

Personal data is considered as inaccurate if the data is incorrect or misleading as to any matter of fact, and if you become aware that any personal data you access or maintain is inaccurate, you must correct or rectify it as soon as possible.

Under data protection legislation, individuals have the right to rectification, if their personal data is inaccurate, out of date, or incomplete. Individuals can exercise their right to rectification by submitting a GDPR request to the DP & FOI Office.

The requirement to keep personal data up-to-date will depend upon the purpose for which the data is collected, held, and used. For example, if the data is intended as a historical record of a transaction/event between the University and the individual, keeping the record up-to-date would be inappropriate - to change any of the data would defeat the purpose of maintaining the historical record.