Which act allowed the ICO to impose fines related to GDPR breaches?

The correct answer is the Data Protection Act 2018. This act is significant because it incorporates the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) into UK law, providing the legal framework necessary for the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) to enforce data protection standards. One of the key components of the Data Protection Act 2018 is the enforcement mechanism it provides for breaches of GDPR, including the ability to impose substantial fines on organizations that fail to comply with data protection requirements.

The Data Protection Act 1998, while an earlier framework for data protection in the UK, predates GDPR and does not address the modern regulations or the associated fines outlined in GDPR. The Freedom of Information Act 2000 is primarily concerned with public access to information held by public authorities and does not pertain to data protection or the enforcement of GDPR. The Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003, although related to data privacy, focus specifically on electronic communications and marketing rather than the broader context of personal data protection under GDPR.

Thus, the Data Protection Act 2018 is essential for enabling the ICO to enforce GDPR compliance through fines and other regulatory actions, making it the correct choice.