Regulations around protecting existing personal data
Are public databases considered 'publicly available personal data'?
Publicly available personal data refers to personal data about an individual that is generally available to the public. In some situations, the existence of restrictions or conditions for access to the database may not prevent the data from being publicly available.
For example, where a database is made accessible to the public, the personal data contained in such a database would generally be considered publicly available, even if a nominal fee is payable in order to access the data.
However, whilst the PDPA does not require consent to be obtained for the collection, use or disclosure of publicly available personal data, organisations are reminded to comply with all other obligations of the PDPA.