On August 11, 2021, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office launched a consultation on its draft international data transfer agreement and guidance for organizations on international transfers. Once finalized, the agreement will replace the existing EU Standard Contractual Clauses in the UK.
Continue Reading Update: International Data Transfer Agreement and Addendum Replace SCCs

On June 16, 2021, the UK Government’s Taskforce on Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform published an independent report containing recommendations to the Prime Minister on how the UK can reshape its approach to regulation in the wake of Brexit (the “Report”). Among wide-ranging proposals across a range of areas, the Report recommends replacing the UK General Data Protection Regulation (“UK GDPR”) with a new UK Framework of Citizen Data Rights. The proposed approach would aim to give individuals greater control over their personal data while also allowing increased data flows and driving growth in the digital economy. The Report will be considered by the Government’s Better Regulation Committee.
Continue Reading Government Taskforce Recommends UK GDPR Reform

The European Data Protection Board has adopted its Opinion on the draft UK adequacy decision issued by the European Commission on February 19, 2021. The EDPB’s Opinion is non-binding but will be persuasive. The adequacy decision will be formally adopted if it is approved by the EU Member States acting through the European Council. If the adequacy decision is adopted, transfers of personal data from the EU to the UK may continue without the implementation of a data transfer mechanism under the EU General Data Protection Regulation, such as Standard Contractual Clauses.
Continue Reading EDPB Adopts Opinion on Draft UK Adequacy Decision

The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the UK Information Commissioner’s Office in relation to new UK adequacy assessments following the UK’s departure from the European Union. The Memorandum of Understanding sets out how DCMS and third countries will negotiate adequacy decisions, referred to under the Memorandum of Understanding as “adequacy regulations”.
Continue Reading UK Government and ICO Agree on Procedure for Future Adequacy Decisions

On February 19, 2021, the European Commission published a draft data protection adequacy decision relating to the UK. If the draft decision is adopted, organizations in the EU will be able to continue to transfer personal data to organizations in the UK without restriction, and will not need to rely upon data transfer mechanisms, such as the EU Standard Contractual Clauses, to ensure an adequate level of protection.
Continue Reading European Commission Publishes Draft UK Data Transfer Adequacy Determination

On December 24, 2020, the European Union and the United Kingdom reached an agreement in principle on the historic EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. For data protection purposes, there is a further transition period of up to six months to enable the European Commission to complete its adequacy assessment of the UK’s data protection laws. For the time being, personal data can continue to be exported from the EU to the UK without implementing additional safeguards.
Continue Reading EU-UK Trade Deal: What It Means For Post-Brexit Data Flows

Sweet & Maxwell published the fifth edition of Data Protection Law and Practice written by Hunton’s Rosemary Jay. The latest edition provides a comprehensive and thorough review of the current state of data protection law in the UK, along with the background to the law.
Continue Reading Sweet & Maxwell Publishes the Fifth Edition of Data Protection Law and Practice Written by Rosemary Jay

On November 10, 2020, Hunton Andrews Kurth will host a webinar examining the data protection considerations that arise on the UK’s departure from the EU. The UK’s Brexit transition period ends on December 31, 2020, and it is not clear whether the EU will formally recognize the UK’s data protection regime as ‘adequate.’ What does this mean for companies’ plans to update their data transfer mechanisms? Is adequacy the holy grail it is widely believed to be? What other issues must be considered? Is there still time?
Continue Reading Webinar on Brexit and Adequacy: Separating Fact from Fiction

On July 22, 2020, the European Data Protection Board adopted an information note to assist organizations relying on Binding Corporate Rules for international personal data transfers, as well as supervisory authorities, in preparing for the end of the Brexit implementation period on December 31, 2020.
Continue Reading EDPB Adopts Information Note on BCRs in Preparation for Brexit