Queen's Speech 2022 - DMA calls for urgent publication of data reforms by UK Government

Following the Queen’s speech today, the DMA welcomes the overall inclusion of reform to UK data protection laws and, naturally, there weren’t further details about specific reforms in the new data reform bill.

However, following industry roundtables and consultation responses published in October 2021, the data, marketing and creative industries are still uncertain on what changes will be adopted.

So, following the Queen’s speech, the CEO of the DMA calls for urgent clarity from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on what text the data reform bill will contain:

“The data, marketing and creative industries remain in limbo, unsure of what form the UK’s data protection reforms will take. Data-driven innovation can still deliver further growth across the digital economy, without compromising the UK's data adequacy status or current privacy protections, but the government must move forward urgently and publish the results of the ‘Data: A new direction’ consultation and the text of the legislative reforms,” said Chris Combemale, CEO of the Data & Marketing Association. “Our industry welcomed many of the proposals put forward in the consultation that have a direct impact on building successful customer relationships and public trust, primarily through further legislative clarity and industry transparency.”

The DMA's full consultation response, including all recommendations informing the DCMS’s next steps on Data: A New Direction consultation, can be found here.

Summary of DMA's Consultation response

The topics covered in our consultation response are those which will have a direct impact on building successful customer relationships, both in terms of greater certainty around customer acquisition or retention and safeguards for customers to ensure trust is earned and maintained over time. In exploring these areas our questions will primarily focus on:

1. Legitimate Interests (chapter 1.4, pages 21-23)
2. AI and Machine Learning (chapter 1.5, pages 24-44)
3. Innovative Data Sharing Solutions (chapter 1.7, pages 47-52)
4. Chapter 2: Reform of the Accountability Framework (pages 53-68)
5. Chapter 2: Subject Access Requests (pages 69-72)
6. Chapter 2: Privacy and Electronic Communication (pages 72-84)
7. Chapter 2: Sectoral Codes (clause 201 and Q2.4.5)
8. Chapter 2: Use of personal data for democratic engagement (clauses 219-228)
9. Chapter 3: Boosting trade and reducing barriers to data flows
10. Chapter 5: Reform of the Information Commissioner’s Office
11. Supplemental topic: Notification requirements under Article 14 of UK GDPR
12. Supplemental topic: simplifying the legislative framework

Overall, the DMA agrees that there is a lot of untapped value in data being held in the private and public sectors that if unlocked could have a transformative impact on the UK’s economy and society. Moreover, UK citizens will benefit from better use of personal data, which will deliver a stronger economy, more efficient and effective public services, and greater innovation in science and technology.

Looking to stay up-to-speed with data reform? Check out the IDM Award in GDPR here.