National AI Strategy: The UK Government Publishes Its Artificial Intelligence Strategy for the Next Decade
On 22 September 2021, the UK Government (the “Government”) published its Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) strategy. The paper outlines the Government’s plan to make Britain a “global superpower” in the AI arena, and sets out an agenda to build the most “pro-innovation regulatory environment in the world”. … Read More
Switzerland Recognizes New EU Standard Contractual Clauses and Issues Guidance on International Data Transfers
On August 27, 2021, the Swiss Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC) formally recognized the new EU Standard Contractual Clauses published by the European Commission on June 4, 2021 (New SCCs). The New SCCs are intended to legitimize transfers of personal data from Switzerland to countries not deemed by … Read More
UK Government Publishes UK Approach to International Transfers, Including Data Adequacy
On August 26, 2021, the UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) published its mission statement setting out the UK approach to adequacy assessments and international data transfers, alongside a Manual Template and Manual Guidance for undertaking adequacy assessments and an infographic map illustrating ten priority countries … Read More
UK ICO Opens Consultation on Data Transfer Agreements and Guidance
On 11 August 2021, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) launched a public consultation on its draft international data transfer agreement and guidance (Consultation). The Consultation comes two months after the European Commission’s adoption of new EU Standard Contractual Clauses (EU SCCs) and the … Read More
European Commission Adopts UK Adequacy Decisions Allowing Personal Data to Freely Flow from the EU to the UK
On 28 June 2021, the European Commission announced that it has adopted two adequacy decisions for the UK, one under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and one under the Data Protection Directive with Respect to Law Enforcement (Law Enforcement Directive) (Adequacy Decisions). The … Read More
Long-Awaited Online Safety Bill is Introduced by the UK Government to Combat “Harmful” Online Content
Two years after the UK Government first put forward its intention to introduce a new regime to address illegal and harmful content online, the UK Government published the Online Safety Bill (“Bill”) on 12 May 2021. The Bill imposes duties of care on providers of digital services, social … Read More
European Data Protection Board Issues Final Schrems II Recommendations
The European Data Protection Board (“EDPB”), adopted on 18 June 2021 its final recommendations describing how controllers and processors transferring personal data outside the European Economic Area (“EEA”) may comply with the Schrems II ruling (“Final Schrems II Recommendations”). The Final Schrems II Recommendations, … Read More
European Commission Publishes Details of its Forthcoming Data Act
The European Commission has formally launched its legislative initiative aimed at increasing access to and further use of data, so that more public and private actors can benefit from technologies such as Big Data and machine learning. The Commission has published its inception impact assessment on the forthcoming Data Act, … Read More
NHS’ Plans to Share Patient Records with Third Parties
NHS Digital (the national custodian for health and care data in England) in May 2021, announced a new data sharing initiative called the General Practice Data for Planning and Research (GPDPR) service. The launch of the GPDPR could result in the historical medical records of up to 55 million patients … Read More