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On July 12, 2018, British Prime Minister Theresa May presented her Brexit White Paper, “The Future Relationship Between the United Kingdom and the European Union,” (the “White Paper”) to Parliament. The White Paper outlines the UK’s desired future relationship with the EU post-Brexit, and includes within its scope important data protection-related issues, including digital trade, data flows, cooperation for the development of Artificial Intelligence (“AI”), and the role of the Information Commissioner’s Office (“ICO”), as further discussed below: Continue Reading Brexit White Paper Addresses Data Protection-Related Issues

On March 6, 2018, the Centre for Information Policy Leadership (“CIPL”) at Hunton & Williams LLP issued a white paper on GDPR Implementation in Respect of Children’s Data and Consent (the “White Paper”). The White Paper sets forth guidance and recommendations concerning the application of GDPR requirements to the processing of children’s personal data. The White Paper also highlights and addresses several issues raised by the Article 29 Working Party (the “Working Party”) with regard to children in its guidelines on consent and issues raised by the UK Information Commissioner’s Office in its Consultation on Children and the GDPR. Continue Reading CIPL Issues White Paper on GDPR Implementation in Respect of Children’s Data and Consent

On January 8, 2017, the UK Information Commissioner (“ICO”) issued an unprecedented monetary penalty of £400,000 against British mobile phone retailer, The Car Phone Warehouse Limited. Following an attack on their system in 2015, the ICO found that the company had failed to take adequate steps to protect the personal data it held on its system. Continue Reading UK ICO Issues Unprecedented Fine Against Mobile Phone Retailer for Lax Security

On November 20, 2017, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (“ICO”) published an article on its blog containing advice on applications for Binding Corporate Rules (“BCRs”) to comply with requirements under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”). BCRs, which are one of the legal mechanisms available to support transfers of personal data outside the EEA, are codified under the GDPR, prompting a number of companies to explore the possibility of applying for BCR authorization. In its article, the ICO stressed that it will continue to accept applications for BCRs in the lead up to GDPR implementation on May 25, 2018, and beyond, and that the UK’s exit from the European Union, currently scheduled for the end of March 2019, will not result in the cancellation of any of the approximately 40 BCR applications currently being considered by the ICO.

Continue Reading UK Information Commissioner Publishes Advice on BCR Applications under the GDPR

On September 14, 2017, the UK Government introduced a new Data Protection Bill (the “Bill”) to Parliament. The Bill is intended to replace the UK’s existing Data Protection Act 1998 and enshrine the EU General Data Protection Regulation (the “GDPR”) into UK law once the UK has left the European Union. The GDPR allows EU Member States to enact, via national law, exemptions from the various provisions of the GDPR, which the Bill also seeks to implement.

Continue Reading UK Government Introduces Draft Data Protection Bill to Parliament

Media sources have reported that the UK Department for Culture, Media & Sport has confirmed its plans to present its Data Protection Bill to Parliament when MPs return to Parliament in early September. The Bill follows commitments made in the Queen’s Speech in June, and will effectively copy the EU General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) into the UK statute book. The Bill’s primary aim is to ensure that the UK retains the same data protection laws as the rest of the EU once it leaves the EU, which is likely to be in March 2019. Continue Reading UK Government Expected to Present Data Protection Bill in September 2017

On June 20, 2017, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (“ICO”) published an updated version of its Code of Practice on Subject Access Requests (the “Code”). The updates are primarily in response to three Court of Appeal decisions from earlier this year regarding data controllers’ obligations to respond to subject access requests (“SARs”). The revisions more closely align the ICO’s position with the court’s judgments. Continue Reading UK ICO Revises Subject Access Guidance Following Court Rulings

With just under one year to go before the EU General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) becomes law across the European Union, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (“ICO”) has continued its efforts to help businesses prepare for the new law. The ICO also has taken steps to address its own role post-Brexit. Continue Reading UK ICO Stresses Importance of Preparing for the GDPR and Addresses the ICO’s Role Post-Brexit

On March 2, 2017, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (“ICO”) published draft guidance regarding the consent requirements of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”). The guidance sets forth how the ICO interprets the GDPR’s consent requirements, and its recommended approach to compliance and good practice. The ICO guidance precedes the Article 29 Working Party’s guidance on consent, which is expected in 2017. Continue Reading ICO Publishes Guidance on Consent under the EU GDPR

On February 13, 2017, the Parliament of Australia passed legislation that amends the Privacy Act of 1988 (the “Privacy Act”) and requires companies with revenue over $3 million AUD ($2.3 million USD) to notify affected Australian residents and the Australian Information Commissioner (the “Commissioner”) in the event of an “eligible data breach.” Continue Reading Australia Enacts New Data Breach Notification Law