The ICO notes that the Government’s response (see here) outlines plans to reduce burdens on business by enabling organisations to create flexible and proportionate compliance regimes. It includes proposals for improved data sharing practices to support delivery of public services and it commits to maintaining the robust standards of data protection crucial to protecting the public.

John Edwards, UK Information Commissioner, said: “I share and support the ambition of these reforms. I am pleased to see the Government has taken our concerns about independence on board. Data protection law needs to give people confidence to share their information to use the products and services that power our economy and society. The proposed changes will ensure my office can continue to operate as a trusted, fair and impartial regulator, and enable us to be more flexible and target our action in response to the greatest harms.”

The ICO will continue to monitor how these reforms are expressed in the Government’s upcoming Data Reform Bill. To read the ICO’s response on its website, click here.