1 Introduction to Data Protection

Data protection is a topic of global importance. Data protection laws can be found in all the major industrialized nations, they are being developed for developing nations and they are the focus of significant intergovernmental cooperation. International organizations, such as the United Nations,¹ the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development,² the Council of Europe and the European Community (EC), have invested heavily in data protection, issuing guidance and laws that are remarkably consistent in terms of their aims, objectives and requirements.