Processing of Data

The 'processing of data' is defined broadly to include any operation or set of operations which is performed on personal data or on sets of personal data, whether or not by automated means, such as collection, recording, organisation, structuring, storage, adaptation or alteration, retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure by transmission, dissemination or otherwise making available, alignment or combination, restriction, erasure or destruction. This definition is crucial for understanding the scope of the Personal Data Protection Act, as it applies to virtually any action taken with employee data, including its collection for pay equity analysis or its disclosure for transparency purposes.