A Guide on The Data Protection and Digital Information Bill in the United Kingdom

March 8, 2023 the UK Government reintroduced the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill to Parliament. With the preservation of strong standards of data privacy, this important piece of legislation seeks to simplify data protection laws, ease administrative burdens on companies, and promote innovation.

What is the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill?

Update and improvement of the UK’s data protection legislation following Brexit is the aim of the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill. The Bill aims to streamline compliance requirements, therefore lowering the operating costs for companies, especially small and medium-sized ones. Less record-keeping requirements and new guidelines for companies processing personal data without express permission are among the main changes. This Bill also lays forth new guidelines to encourage the advancement of AI technologies and guarantee suitable protections for profiling and automated decision-making.

Key Sections of the Digital Information and Data Protection Bill Less Record Keeping Requirements:

The Bill seeks to reduce the operational load on companies by mandating thorough records only from those whose data processing operations seriously endanger people. This covers handling enormous amounts of sensitive or personal data.

Revised Consent Guidelines:

The Bill streamlines corporate operations by introducing new situations where personal data can be used without consent, therefore reducing the amount of consent pop-ups that consumers see online.

Detail on Protections for Decision-Making by Automation:

The Bill requires people to get notification when automated decisions are made on them in order to increase public trust in AI. They also get the opportunity to contest these rulings and ask for a human review.

Continued International Transfers:

The Bill keeps mechanisms like Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) and adequacy determinations that conform with current UK data legislation in place to guarantee that personal data can continue to flow freely between the UK and other countries.

Exemption for broader research:

Through a redefining of “scientific research,” the Bill encourages creative private sector research by enabling commercial companies to enjoy the same exemptions as academic researchers.

Higher Penalties for Texts and Nuisance Calls:

The Bill increases penalties for companies that make bothersome calls or texts; the maximum penalty is 4% of global turnover, or £17.5 million, whichever is higher.

Organisational Consequences

Although the Bill is still in its early stages of drafting, companies should begin evaluating their present data protection procedures to find any holes. Main areas to concentrate on consist of:

Assessments of the Data Protection Impact

• Determine whether the new regulations will require record-keeping going forward.
• Map your data to make sure permission requirements and data transfer protections are followed.
• Adapt to new guidelines for obtaining and handling consent.

Always Be Informed

Visit Praeferre’s DataGuidance to stay informed on the developments of the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill and its effects on your company. Leveraging the chances the new Bill offers and ensuring easier compliance will need proactive understanding and preparation for these changes.

Businesses can confidently negotiate the often changing data protection scene and maintain customer trust by keeping up with and adjusting to these legal changes.

How Praeferre Complies with the Digital Information and Data Protection Bill

Praeferre is aware of the need to follow the new Data Protection and Digital Information Bill. We keep ahead of legislative changes and make sure our procedures comply with the most recent requirements since we are committed to data privacy. Through the integration of modern data protection protocols, such as improved protections for automated decision-making and simplified consent management, we guarantee compliance and win over our clients. We actively track changes in legislation and modify our systems to comply with these changing needs, proving our commitment to privacy protection and innovation.

Frequently Asked Questions Concerning the Digital Information and Data Protection Bill

1. How does the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill work?

The Data Protection and Digital Information Bill seeks to modernise and streamline UK data protection legislation following Brexit, therefore easing corporate operations and encouraging innovation while upholding strict data privacy regulations.

2. How does the Bill ease corporate record-keeping obligations?

Only those companies whose data processing operations carry significant risks, such as huge amounts of sensitive or personal data, are required by the Bill to maintain thorough records.

3. What are the new rules for getting permission now that the Bill is in effect?

The Bill lowers the number of times customers see consent pop-ups by establishing circumstances under which companies may process personal data without express permission.

4. In what ways does automated decision-making figure in the Bill?

Businesses must notify customers when automated choices are made about them, provide them the chance to contest these decisions, and offer a human review option.

5. Does the Bill allow for the sending of data between countries?

To guarantee the unrestricted flow of personal data between the UK and other countries, the Bill keeps in place procedures such as Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) and adequacy decisions.

6. What does the Bill’s more expansive research exemption cover?

The Bill extends the definition of “scientific research” to cover commercial research, therefore granting companies the same exemptions as academics.

7. What consequences follow from breaking the Bill?

Higher penalties are imposed by the Bill for bothersome calls and texts, up to 4% of global turnover or £17.5 million, whichever is higher.

8. How should companies get ready for the demands of the Bill?

Businesses that want to comply with the new rules should map their data flows, do data protection impact assessments, and upgrade their consent and preference management systems.

9. What are businesses’ main areas of emphasis under the Bill?

Key topics include data mapping, consent management, high-risk processing activity record-keeping, and putting automated decision-making protections in place.

10. Where can I read further details on how the Bill will affect companies?

Visit Praeferre’s DataGuidance for in-depth analysis and updates on the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill’s progress and how it may affect your organisation.