February 4, 2019

In November, the ICO published an analysis of the call for views on its proposed regulatory sandbox. Since then, the regulator says that it has continued to develop the systems and processes necessary to launch a fully functioning beta phase of its sandbox, with the aim of opening for applications at the end of April 2019.

In order to assist organisations work out whether an application will be right for them, the ICO has published a Discussion Paper explaining to potential participants how it sees the sandbox working in practice. The Paper sets out the ICO’s thinking so far: from early engagement through to application, sandbox entry and, ultimately, exit.

The Paper will form part of the discussion at the ICO sandbox workshop event in London on 6 February. The event is now fully booked, but the ICO would still welcome feedback on the project, including from any potential sandbox participants.

The ICO has also now opened its “Intention to apply” survey to enable organisations tell the ICO in advance about any product or service that they might consider entering into the sandbox.

The ICO emphasises that it is not an application: the full formal process will open later in the year. However, it will give the ICO more of an idea about the numbers and types of formal applications it is likely to receive.

The survey will remain open until the ICO opens for applications and is entirely voluntary and non-binding.

The sandbox is open to all sectors and all sizes of organisation, so whether public, private or third sector; a tech start-up or an innovation hub at a large established company or Government body; the ICO is inviting organisations to get in touch if they plan to use personal data in a new and innovative way. To access the Discussion Paper and the survey, click here.