EU Confirms UK's 'Data Adequacy'

The European Union has formally approved the 'adequacy' of the UK's data protection protocols for the transfer of personal data between the two.

The Data Adequacy agreement, passed after a long process by the European Council, means data transfers are little changed from the status quo before Brexit, when the UK was covered by the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Since the UK's departure an interim provision has allowed personal data to continue flowing unimpeded until a longer-term deal was agreed, but this included a deadline of the end of June, after which UK businesses would have had to find alternative ways to legally import and process the personal information of EU citizens. A draft decision was passed in February, and observers of the Brexit negotiations will perhaps be surprised that the latest decision came more than a week before the deadline, rather than waiting until 11.59pm on 30th.

Chris Combemale (pictured), CEO of the Data & Marketing Association said the ruling was 'a huge relief for thousands of businesses across the UK', adding: 'The UK can now progress new data legislation, such as the crucial National Data Strategy, knowing that a high-standards and innovation-focused approach rests in harmony with the European perspective. We look forward to a strong relationship with Europe and the rest of the world in matters of data transfers and standards'.

Web site: www.dma.org.uk .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.