The Government will today (Thursday, 24 August) set out its
plans for arrangements that could ensure personal data would
continue to move back and forth between the UK and the EU in the
future in a safe, properly regulated way.
In the latest of a series of papers looking at the UK’s
future partnership with the EU after we have left, the Government
will consider the case for a unique approach that could allow
data to continue to be exchanged to ensure ongoing
competitiveness, innovation and job creation.
The document outlines how the UK is considering an
ambitious model for the protection and exchange of personal data
with the EU that reflects the unprecedented alignment between
British and European law and recognises the high data protection
standards that will be in place at the point of exit.
This would allow us to work more closely with the EU,
providing continuity and certainty for business, allowing public
authorities, including law enforcement authorities, to continue
their close co-operation, protecting people’s data and privacy
and providing for ongoing regulatory co-operation
between the UK and EU data protection authorities.
These proposals will provide a stable base for the
Government to deliver its commitment to turn Britain into the
best and safest place to be online.
Minister for Digital , said:
"In the modern world, data flows increasingly underpin
trade, business and all relationships. We want the secure flow of
data to be unhindered in the future as we leave the EU.
"So a strong future data relationship between the UK and
EU, based on aligned data protection rules, is in our mutual
interest.
"The UK is leading the way on modern data protection laws
and we have worked closely with our EU partners to develop world
leading data protection standards.
"The paper published today sets out how we think our data
relationship should continue. Our goal is to combine strong
privacy rules with a relationship that allows flexibility, to
give consumers and businesses certainty in their use of
data.”
And the digital economy is important to the UK’s economy.
In 2015 it was worth £118.4 billion, or 7.1 per cent
of UK’s total GVA. This relies on data being able to
flow freely back and forth. Any disruption to these cross-border
data flows could be costly to both Britain and the EU.
As the UK and the EU build a new, deep and special
partnership it is essential that we agree a UK-EU model for
exchanging and protecting personal data that:
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allows data to continue to be exchanged in a safe and
properly regulated way;
-
offers sufficient stability and confidence for
businesses, public authorities and individuals;
We look forward to the EU outlining its own proposals in
this area and taking forward discussions in future
negotiations.
