When was the Data Protection Act introduced?

The Data Protection Act was first introduced in 1998. This legislation was established to regulate how personal data is handled and to ensure individuals' privacy rights are respected. The Act was a response to the need for more robust data protection in the digital age, particularly with the advent of the internet and the increased collection and sharing of personal information.

While there have been newer regulations and amendments related to data protection, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) adopted in 2016 and implemented in 2018, these do not replace the original 1998 Data Protection Act but rather enhance and update its provisions to align with EU standards. The 2018 regulation was more about reinforcing and updating data privacy measures than introducing the initial framework of data protection.

The choices listed, including the year 2015, do not correspond to the introduction of the Data Protection Act, which is specifically noted as being enacted in 1998.