Plans to reform post-Brexit data rules unveiled
Ministers want to diverge from some EU data rules in order to boost trade with other nations.
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Your support makes all the difference.The Government has announced plans to reshape the UK’s data laws in an effort to boost growth and increase trade post-Brexit.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has said it hopes the measures, which include new data partnerships with the US and other countries, will get around existing trade barriers associated with data rules.
In the wake of Brexit, the Government said it wants to move “quickly and creatively” to develop partnerships around the world which will make it easier for UK firms to exchange data with key markets and fast-growing economies.
It said it hopes the changes can help facilitate more data transfers between the UK and other nations in areas such as GPS navigation, online banking and even law enforcement.
Now that we have left the EU, I’m determined to seize the opportunity by developing a world-leading data policy that will deliver a Brexit dividend for individuals and businesses across the UK
The move would see the UK diverge from some parts of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which came into effect in the UK three years ago, with Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden saying the UK wanted to shape data laws that were based on “common sense, not box-ticking”.
As part of the first package of measures announced, the Government said it was prioritising striking data adequacy partnerships with the US, Australia, South Korea, Singapore, the Dubai International Finance Centre and Colombia.
Future partnerships with India, Brazil, Kenya and Indonesia are also to be prioritised.
“Now that we have left the EU, I’m determined to seize the opportunity by developing a world-leading data policy that will deliver a Brexit dividend for individuals and businesses across the UK,” Mr Dowden said.
“That means seeking exciting new international data partnerships with some of the world’s fastest-growing economies, for the benefit of British firms and British customers alike.
“It means reforming our own data laws so that they’re based on common sense, not box-ticking.”
In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, Mr Dowden said data rules reform was “one of the big prizes” of leaving the EU and that data was the “oil” that would power the 21st century when harnessed properly.
He said some key parts of GDPR amounted to “needless bureaucracy” and that instead the UK should be looking to protect privacy, but “in as light a touch way as possible”.
The digital opportunity before us today will only be realised where people continue to trust their data will be used fairly and transparently, both here in the UK and when shared overseas
The main principles of GDPR are that businesses must have appropriate legal reasons for processing personal data and can only collect it for specific purposes.
But the Government believes that in some areas this has created red tape which is stifling innovation.
In response to the announcement, Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham said the UK’s data watchdog would help support the Government’s plans, but encouraged the pursuit of trust and transparency.
“Data-driven innovation stands to bring enormous benefits to the UK economy and to our society, but the digital opportunity before us today will only be realised where people continue to trust their data will be used fairly and transparently, both here in the UK and when shared overseas,” she said.
“My office has supported valuable innovation while encouraging public trust in data use, particularly during the pandemic. We stand ready to provide our expert advice and insight as part of any future Government consultation.”
As part of the announcement, the DCMS also revealed it was naming New Zealand privacy commissioner John Edwards as its preferred candidate to be the UK’s next information commissioner when Ms Denham leaves the post in October.
Mr Dowden said Mr Edwards’ “vast experience makes him the ideal candidate to ensure data is used responsibly” to achieve the Government’s goals.