In the Labour Party’s manifesto, the party made no specific mention to the data protection landscape in the UK. However, it did state that to “kickstart economic growth” it will “ensure [its] industrial strategy supports the development of the artificial intelligence (AI) sector, removes planning barriers to new datacentres.” The party stated it “will create a National Data Library to bring together existing research programmes and help deliver data-driven public services, whilst maintaining strong safeguards and ensuring all of the public benefit.” The concept of the National Data Library has been backed by a number business groups and MPs with a recent report by Onward (a non-profit thinktank) said a British data library would allow start-ups and scientists to easily access the data needed to build AI models, attracting talent and investment to Britain.
In a nutshell, the DISD Bill aims to:
It is clear that a complete reform of the UK’s data protection framework is not yet a priority for the new Labour Government. As such, this DISD Bill may come as a relief to those who were dubious about how the DPDI Bill would impact its current adequacy status from the EU given the importance of free-flowing personal data transfers between the two. However, this new government in power has not ruled out a reform of current UK data protections and its mention of “targeted reform to some data laws” gives the impression that it will explore data protection more widely in due course. Data practitioners will keep a close eye on this given the sunset clause which strictly limits the duration of the adequacy decision deadline to expire four years after its entry into force, i.e. 27 June 2025. After that period, they will only be renewed if the UK continues to ensure an adequate level of data protection.
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Click here for the King’s Speech 2024 briefing notes.