The International Trade Committee today publishes the
Government’s response to its Digital Trade and Data
Report.
Digital trade refers to digitally enabled, or digitally
delivered, trade in goods and services. Such trade involves the
movement of data.
The Report, published in June 2021, included the following
conclusions and recommendations:
- The Government should produce and publish a digital trade and
data strategy which clarifies the UK's approach across all trade
negotiations and how this approach interacts with domestic law.
- When trade agreements are agreed, the Government should
publish an assessment of the agreement's impact on the protection
of citizens' data and ability of the UK to maintain its data
protection regime.
- The Government should publish an assessment on the risk of UK
citizens' data being passed onto third countries without
sufficient safeguards when new trade agreements are signed, as
well as outlining ways to prevent this from occurring.
- The Government should publish an assessment of the potential
impact of new trade agreements on maintaining data adequacy with
the European Union.
- While the Government’s intention to build on GDPR is welcome,
it should set out how the UK will depart from the EU’s GDPR while
maintaining data adequacy and minimising regulatory burdens for
businesses.
- ENDS -
Notes to Editors
Digital Trade & Data
- The Committee’s inquiry into Digital Trade & Data was
launched in December
2020 and explored a range of issues, including: digital trade
and data provisions in Free Trade Agreements; concerns around
the security and privacy of data; the environmental impact of
digital trade; and relevant legal frameworks.
- The Committee’s report was published on 28 June
2021.
