Finance Data as Special Category Data?

[Xpress Data]

I know this is not directly referenced in Special Category Data within the ICO's GDPR guide.

So in this bizarre context, what do we think would be more likely to constitute special category data.

Someones waist size (could indicate they are morbidly obese or overweight) or Financial Records of the Data Subject?

 

[Mike Kilby PC.dp]

I’ve always thought financial records ought to constitute sensitive data, as they could be used to unfairly prejudice and individual, but as they are not listed they are just personal data and just processed under regular necessity etc.

Personally I wouldn’t class a waist size as medical data unless it’s purposely collected for health reasons. If you’re an online retailer for example, fulfilling an order for clothing that is xxxl for example, that’s not health relevant. If you were however selling diet pills or health related services, that would be different.

Context is king!