Rachel has provided the following response to constituents who have contacted her about the Data Protection Bill.
I know that the Government is committed to strengthening rights for citizens over their personal data. A new Data Protection Bill is now before Parliament which will ensure that the UK retains its world-class regime protecting personal data. The Bill aims to ensure that our data protection framework is suitable for our new digital age, while also strengthening rights and empowering individuals to have more control over their personal data.
The Bill will bring EU data protection standards into UK law in order to help prepare Britain for a successful Brexit. By having strong data protection laws and appropriate safeguards, businesses will be able to operate across international borders.
I am pleased that businesses will be supported to ensure they are able to manage and secure data properly. The Information Commissioner’s Office, which regulates data protection in the UK, will also be given more power to defend consumer interests and issue higher fines, of up to £17 million or 4 per cent of global turnover, in cases of the most serious data breaches. New criminal offences will also be created to deter organisations from either intentionally or recklessly creating situations where someone could be identified from anonymised data.
Under the plans, individuals will have more control over their data by having the right to be forgotten and ask for their personal data to be erased. This will also mean that people can ask social media channels to delete information they posted in their childhood, fulfilling a manifesto commitment. The reliance on default opt-out or pre-selected ‘tick boxes’, which are largely ignored, to give consent for organisations to collect personal data will also become a thing of the past.
I am confident that the new Data Protection Bill will give us one of the most robust, yet dynamic, set of data laws in the world.
Date published: 5 March 2018.
As with all items in the FAQ Library, answers are subject to modification as events and circumstances change and evolve. If you would like an answer that is more specific to your circumstances, or to seek and up-to-date response, please email rachel.maclean.mp@parliament.uk.
