Individuals will have more control over their personal data in new measures being announced today.
The new Data Protection Bill, which brings the UK into line with the upcoming GDPR, will give the public new rights, including the right to be forgotten, and the right to withdraw consent for personal data use.
Under the plans, parents and guardians will be able to give consent for their child’s data to be used and ‘explicit’ consent, rather than simple box ticking, will be necessary for processing sensitive personal data.
The data protection regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), 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.
Matt Hancock, Minister of State for Digital, said: “Our measures are designed to support businesses in their use of data, and give consumers the confidence that their data is protected and those who misuse it will be held to account.
“The new Data Protection Bill will give us one of the most robust, yet dynamic, set of data laws in the world. It will give people more control over their data, require more consent for its use, and prepare Britain for Brexit. We have some of the best data science in the world and this new law will help it to thrive.”
The Data Protection Bill will also make it easier and free for individuals to require an organisation to disclose the personal data it holds on them, as well as making it easier for customers to move data between service providers.
Elizabeth Denham, Information Commissioner, said: “We are pleased the government recognises the importance of data protection, its central role in increasing trust and confidence in the digital economy and the benefits the enhanced protections will bring to the public.”
Julian David, CEO of techUK, said: “The UK has always been a world leader in data protection and data-driven innovation. Key to realising the full opportunities of data is building a culture of trust and confidence.”