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UK becomes first country in the world to be granted associate
status to Global Cross Border Privacy Rules Forum
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Move unlocks opportunities for closer collaboration on
international data flows with key global partners
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UK positioned to help shape practical solutions in building a
global data transfers system
The UK has become the first country in the world to be granted
Associate status in the Global Cross Border Privacy Rules (CBPR)
Forum. The Forum works to support international data transfers
between member countries, safeguarding standards on data
protection and privacy.
Associate status in the Forum presents the UK with an opportunity
to help drive co-operation with member nations including the
United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the
Philippines, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, and Australia on
international data flows.
International data transfers and the need to move both customer
and company details from one country to another are an
inescapable part of modern global business transactions. In 2021,
93% of the UK’s services exports were data-enabled, meaning the
trusted flow of data between countries is rapidly becoming an
important contributor to economic growth. A practical approach is
therefore an important focus for the government, as it works to
help shape a global system which can encourage new innovations
while ensuring the security of personal data as it moves across
borders.
Minister for Data and Digital Infrastructure, Sir , said:
The UK’s association with the Global CBPR Forum is an important
step in building a practical and functional system for global
data transfers.
The safety and security of personal data as it moves between
countries is paramount, so it’s vital that we work with our key
international partners to design solutions that work for
everyone.
The UK already has high data protection standards in place when
it comes to international transfers, and we look forward to
sharing our approach on the global stage alongside the CBPR
Forum.
The Global CBPR system is a government-backed data privacy
certification programme that companies can join to demonstrate
compliance with internationally recognised data privacy
protections. Many large multinational businesses have already
been certified under the framework including Apple, IBM, and
Mastercard, and it is one of the very few bodies which supports
the secure flow of data across multiple countries, removing
barriers and working towards a universal set of data transfer
standards.
Since leaving the European Union, the UK has seized the
opportunity through the Data Protection and Digital
Information Bill to create a new UK data rights regime.
The legislation reduces burdens on business, supporting the Prime
Minister’s priority to grow the economy, and unlocks new avenues
for innovation across science and technology.
In April 2022, the CBPR Forum was expanded beyond the
Asia-Pacific region, and the UK is now the first jurisdiction to
be accepted as an Associate, a new membership status recently
created by the group.
Before the UK’s official involvement was confirmed, in April the
UK co-hosted a Forum workshop in London alongside the United
States to explore how the CBPR system can be strengthened to work
alongside the data privacy regimes of different countries.
Further Information
