Electronic Communications Act 2000

2000 CHAPTER 7

An Act to make provision to facilitate the use of electronic communications and

electronic data storage; to make provision about the modification of licences
granted under section 7 of the Telecommunications Act 1984; and for connected
purposes.

[25th May 2000]

Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and
consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present
Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Part II Facilitation of electronic commerce, data storage, etc.

7 Electronic signatures and related certificates.

(1)In any legal proceedings—

(a)an electronic signature incorporated into or logically associated with a particular

electronic communication or particular electronic data, and

(b)the certification by any person of such a signature, shall each be admissible in

evidence in relation to any question as to the authenticity of the communication or
data or as to the integrity of the communication or data.

(2)For the purposes of this section an electronic signature is so much of anything in

electronic form as—

(a)is incorporated into or otherwise logically associated with any electronic

communication or electronic data; and

(b) purports to be used by the individual creating it to sign.]

(3)For the purposes of this section an electronic signature incorporated into or

associated with a particular electronic communication or particular electronic data
is certified by any person if that person (whether before or after the making of the
communication) has made a statement confirming that—

(a)the signature,

(b) a means of producing, communicating or verifying the signature, or

(c) a procedure applied to the signature, is (either alone or in combination with

other factors) a valid means of [F2signing].

7 AElectronic seals and related certificates

(1)In any legal proceedings—

(a) an electronic seal incorporated into or logically associated with a particular

electronic communication or particular electronic data, and

(b) the certification by any person of such a seal, shall each be admissible in
evidence in relation to any question as to the authenticity of the communication or
data, the integrity of the communication or data, or both.

(2)For the purposes of this section an electronic seal is so much of anything in

electronic form as—

(a)is incorporated into or otherwise logically associated with electronic

communication or electronic data; and

(b)purports to ensure the origin and integrity of the communication or data.

(3)For the purposes of this section an electronic seal incorporated into or

associated with a particular electronic communication or particular electronic data
is certified by any person if that person (whether before or after the making of the
communication) has made a statement confirming that—

(a)the seal,

(b)a means of producing, communicating or verifying the seal, or

(c)a procedure applied to the seal, is (either alone or in combination with other
factors) a valid means of ensuring the origin of the communication or data, the
integrity of the communication or data, or both.
Security Watchdog Statement of Fair Processing
By accessing this website and providing Security Watchdog, part of Capita plc with your
personal details, you agree to accept and be bound by the terms of this statement of fair
processing which is summarised below.

Using the IT specification supplied by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Security
Watchdog has produced an online disclosure system, eBulkPlus, which is an alternative to
the standard paper forms, therefore allowing you to complete your application at any
location with internet access. Technology
Businesses must make it clear to customers how their online tutoring is delivered, and the
nature of
the technology used.

Whilst desirable, it is not necessary for businesses to record all lessons.

Our online service is committed to protecting the privacy of our users. When you supply
any personal information to this site we have legal obligations towards you in the way we
deal with your data as follows:

1. We will hold your personal information on our systems for as long as needed to
meet the service you have requested, and remove it in the event that the purpose
has been met.
2. We will ensure that all personal information supplied is held securely, in
accordance with the UK Data Protection Legislation and the European General
Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
3. We will provide a safe and secure experience for users of this site.
4. We will ensure that the information you submit to us remains private, and is
only used for the purposes set out below.

Fair Processing Principles

 Your personal information is only processed with your knowledge.

 Only information that we actually need is collected and processed.
 Your personal information is only seen by those who need it to do their jobs.
 Personal information is retained only for as long as it is required.
 Decisions affecting you are made on the basis of reliable and up to date
information.
 Your information is protected from unauthorised or accidental disclosure.
 Inaccurate or misleading data will be corrected as soon as possible.
 Procedures are in place for dealing promptly with any dispute.

All information requested is used solely for the purpose of producing a Disclosure Scotland
or DBS certificate (as appropriate for your location) and is collected, stored and processed
by Security Watchdog, Disclosure Scotland and the DBS in accordance with the UK Data
Protection Act Legislation and GDPR. We will treat your personal information as
confidential and we will not disclose it to any third party except: (i) with your prior
agreement; (ii) as necessary for providing our eBulkPlus online disclosure service to you;
or (iii) as required by law.

Any organisation which uses this eBulkPlus online disclosure service is obliged to sign a
service contract requiring them to:

 Abide by the UK Data Protection Legislation and GDPR

 Have a policy for secure storage, handling, use, retention and disposal of
Disclosures and Disclosure Information

The Security Watchdog eBulkPlus solution is hosted within an ISO27001, Capita owned
data centre and all components of the service are protected by intrusion detection and
intrusion prevention devices. Completed applications are fully encrypted and securely
transferred to Disclosure Scotland and DBS using the eBulkPlus Interface.

The Disclosure and Barring Service will refer the details provided on this application form
to government and law enforcement bodies in accordance with any relevant legislation. The
details provided to these bodies will be used for identifying possible matches to records
held by them. Where such a match is established, data may be released to the DBS for
inclusion on any certificate issued. The details provided on this form may be used to update
the records held by the bodies specified above. The details provided on the application form
may be used to verify your identity for authentication purposes. The DBS may use any
information provided by the DBS on a certificate or otherwise held by the DBS to inform
any of its barring decisions made under its powers within the Safeguarding Vulnerable
Groups Act 2006.
Important Information & Guidance
Auto-fill Browser function

If you are using a browser with an auto-fill function, please do not use this or turn this off
as it may cause errors in your application.

Identity Checking Requirements

A key requirement of the disclosure application process through the Disclosure and Barring
Service (DBS) is for your identification to be verified by the organisation requesting this
disclosure on you. If you do not hold at least one of the identification documents listed
below you should seek clarification from the organisation requesting this disclosure on you
prior to starting your application as you may not be able to submit your application online.

 Current valid Passport

 Biometric Residence Permit (UK)
 Current Driving Licence (UK, Isle of Man/Channel Islands/EU) (full or provisional)
 Birth Certificate (UK & Channel Islands) - issued within 12 months of your date of
birth
 Adoption Certificate (UK & Channel Islands)

Sometimes, we might be required to undertake an External ID Verification Validation

check. If so this is undertaken independently and may require your consent. Further
information about the forms of identification required can be found in the ‘DBS list of
acceptable identification’ PDF guide at the end of this application. Alternatively, you can
get further guidance about the DBS disclosure process at https://www.gov.uk/dbs  

Five-year Address History

As part of your disclosure application, you are required to supply all addresses that you
have resided at within the last five years. It is important that you supply accurate address
information and all addresses. If address information is found to be missing from the
application, the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) may withdraw the application and a
new application will be required.

Welsh Language applications

Please note, only English language applications can be submitted online - Welsh language
applications must be submitted using the paper application route. If you require your
certificate to be produced in the Welsh language please do not continue with this online
application and contact the organisation requesting this application on you as a Welsh
language application form must be completed and submitted to the Disclosure & Barring
Service.
As part of your certificate application procedure you will be required to pay for the
application online before it will be submitted for processing.

By proceeding with this application, you confirm that you understand and accept the
payment policies found in the footer of this website.

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