September 11, 2017

The Government has set out its plans for arrangements that could ensure personal data would continue to move back and forth between the UK and the EU in the future in a safe and properly regulated way.

The document outlines how the UK is considering “an ambitious model” for the protection and exchange of personal data with the EU that “reflects the unprecedented alignment between British and European law and recognises the high data protection standards that will be in place at the point of exit.”

The Government explains that this would allow the UK to work more closely with the EU, providing continuity and certainty for business, allowing public authorities, including law enforcement authorities, to continue their close co-operation, protecting people’s data and privacy and providing for ongoing regulatory co-operation between the UK and EU data protection authorities.

Given the importance of the digital economy to the UK’s economy, it is essential, the Government says, that the UK agrees a UK-EU model for exchanging and protecting personal data that:

• allows data to continue to be exchanged in a safe and properly regulated way;
• offers sufficient stability and confidence for businesses, public authorities and individuals;
• provides for ongoing regulatory cooperation between the EU and the UK on current and future data protection issues, building on the positive opportunity of a partnership between global leaders on data protection;
• continues to protect the privacy of individuals;
• respects UK sovereignty, including the UK’s ability to protect the security of its citizens and its ability to maintain and develop its position as a leader in data protection;
• does not impose unnecessary additional costs to business; and
• is based on objective consideration of evidence.

To read the Government’s press release in full and for a link to the position paper, click here.