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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 30, 2018, the UK Court of Appeal ruled that the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Act (“DRIPA”) was inconsistent with EU law. The judgment, pertaining to the now-expired act, is relevant to current UK surveillance practices and is likely to result in major amendments to the Investigatory Powers Act (“IP Act”), the successor of DRIPA. Continue Reading UK Court of Appeal Rules DRIPA Inconsistent with EU Law

On January 24, 2018, the European Commission issued a communication to the European Parliament and the Council (the “Communication”) on the direct application of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”). The Communication (1) recounts novel elements of the GDPR that create stronger protections for individuals and new opportunities for organizations, (2) reviews preparatory work undertaken to date for GDPR implementation, (3) outlines remaining steps for successful preparation and (4) outlines measures the European Commission intends to take up until May 25, 2018. Continue Reading EU Commission Releases Communication on Remaining Issues for GDPR Preparation

Hunton & Williams LLP is pleased to announce that Richard Thomas, Global Strategy Advisor to the Centre for Information Policy Leadership, has been appointed by the UK Prime Minister to serve as a member of its Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (“ACOBA”), effective February 1, 2018. Continue Reading Richard Thomas Appointed to the UK Advisory Committee on Business Appointments

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

Recently, the fourth edition of the book, The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Data Protection 2017, was published by the Global Legal Group. Hunton & Williams’ Global Privacy and Cybersecurity lawyers prepared several chapters in the guide, including the opening chapter on “All Change for Data Protection: The European Data Protection Regulation,” co-authored by London partner Bridget Treacy and associate Anita Bapat. Several other global privacy and cybersecurity team members also prepared chapters in the guide, including David Dumont (Belgium), Claire François (France), Judy Li (China), Manuel E. Maisog (China), Wim Nauwelaerts (Belgium), Anna Pateraki (Germany), Aaron P. Simpson (United States), Adam Smith (United Kingdom) and Jenna Rode (United States). Continue Reading Hunton Privacy Team Publishes Several Chapters in International Comparative Legal Guide to Data Protection

On August 7, 2017, the UK Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport published a Statement of Intent setting out the planned reforms to be included in the forthcoming Data Protection Bill, which we previously reported is expected to be laid before the UK Parliament in early September. Continue Reading UK Government Releases Statement of Intent Regarding Data Protection Bill