How do we ensure the accuracy of personal information?
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The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 got Royal Assent on 19 June 2025. All the provisions affecting data protection law and the Privacy and Electronic Regulations Communications are now in force. The Department for Science and Innovation (DSIT) has set out the commencement plans. You can find more details on the Gov.uk website.
The accuracy principle in data protection law means you must:
- take all reasonable steps to ensure the personal information you use and generate through your content moderation processes is not incorrect or misleading as to any matter of fact;
- keep the personal information up-to-date, if necessary; and
- consider any challenges from users about the accuracy of the information you’ve gathered through your content moderation.
For example, if you determine that a user has violated your content policies and you record this on their account, you must:
- ensure that this record is accurate;
- keep it up-to-date, where necessary; and
- take reasonable steps to rectify or erase the record without delay, if a user successfully appeals that they have not breached your content policies.
Further reading