The use of vehicle tracking data in the UK falls under the category of personal processing data; as such, is governed by the Data Protection Act 1988. To ensure compliance, organisations should maintain a vehicle tracking policy that is compliant with the data protection act. While installing vehicle tracking devices, organisations should consider respecting the privacy of employees affected by the implementation of vehicle tracking.
Typically, any company using vehicle tracking devices will be collecting data about the individual and not just the vehicle. Alongside location, other information such as driving styles and behaviour; this in itself has implications under the Data Protection Act. The basic principles of the data protection act expect adherence to the following principals relating to the processing of personal data:
1. fair and lawful processing
2. for its pre-agreed or specified purpose
3. relevant to that purpose, accurate and up to date
4. not to be retained for a more extended period than is necessary
5. with measures taken to protect its unlawful use
6. non-transferrable to countries not providing adequate levels of data protection.
It is illegal to track a vehicle if the driver(s) is/are unaware that they are being tracked.
The individual(s) has to either agree or consented to it either explicitly or implicitly.
However, if clauses are added to and approved via employment contract(s), then vehicle tracking is entirely legal.
Statements typically included must cover the six provisions mentioned above regarding the use of this data.
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