Data Protection & Freedom of Information Office

Opinions about an individual

An opinion about an individual is considered personal data about that individual, and is therefore covered by data protection legislation.

• An opinion is defined as a belief or conclusion held with some confidence, but not necessarily substantiated by positive knowledge or proof.
• An opinion about a person may also indicate an intention towards that individual.

Under the Right of Access provisions of data protection legislation, a copy of any document that contains an opinion may have to be released to an individual, particularly if the document has been written by a line manager.