Commentary Part 6 – Data Matching Paragraph 1: Power to conduct data matching exercises
114.This paragraph provides for the Secretary of State or the Minister for the Cabinet Office (“a relevant minister”) to carry out data matching exercises or to arrange for them to be done on his or her behalf. Sub-paragraph (3) explains how a data matching exercise works. It involves the comparison of sets of data, for example, taking two local authority payroll databases and matching them. If matches occur, it may indicate an inconsistency that requires investigation. Sub-paragraph (4) defines the purposes for which the data matching powers can be exercised. These purposes are assisting in the prevention and detection of fraud. Sub-paragraph (5) provides that data matching may not be used to identify patterns and trends in an individual’s characteristics or behaviour which suggest nothing more than his or her potential to commit fraud in future and is designed to prevent the creation of individual profiles of potential fraudsters.