Business

Data Protection model set to protect businesses

Data protection will be protected after Britain leaves the EU, says minister
Data protection will be protected after Britain leaves the EU, says minister Data protection will be protected after Britain leaves the EU, says minister

THE UK Government is this week setting out "mutually beneficial" proposals with regard to personal data sharing on its departure from the EU.

In the latest in a series of papers looking at the UK's future partnership with Europe, the Department for Exiting the European Union is considering the case for a model to exchange and protect personal data - "in the best interests of consumers, businesses and public authorities".

The Data Protection Bill, which is due to be laid before Parliament in the autumn, will implement the European Union’s new data protection rules, helping Britain prepare for a successful Brexit.

UK Minister for Digital, Matt Hancock, said: "In the modern world, data flows increasingly underpin trade, business and all relationships.

"We want the secure flow of data to be unhindered in the future as we leave the EU, so a strong future data relationship between the UK and EU, based on aligned data protection rules, is in our mutual interest.

"The UK is leading the way on modern data protection laws and we have worked closely with our EU partners to develop world leading data protection standards."

Mr Hancock said the paper sets how that data relationship should continue, with the goal "to combine strong privacy rules" with a relationship that allows "flexibility, to give consumers and businesses certainty in their use of data."

Key among objectives being put forward in the model are a provision for ongoing regulatory co-operation, protection of privacy for individuals and stability for businesses without imposing "unnecessary additional cost".