In today’s digital age, data is a valuable asset for businesses. It allows companies to understand their customers, make informed decisions and improve their operations. However, with the rise of cyber threats and data breaches, protecting this data has become a top priority for businesses in the UK. In this article, we will explore the role of the Data Protection Act 2018 for business in the UK and why it is crucial for companies to comply with the data protection regulations. What is Data Protection? Data protection refers to the process of safeguarding sensitive information from unauthorised access, use or…

When appointing a new supplier there is often a dilemma over the issue of confidentiality. How do you strike the balance between sharing enough information to obtain the best deal without jeopardising confidential business information? It is imperative that business owners treat their confidential information with the utmost importance when appointing new suppliers. For example, sharing designs and recipes with other businesses can be risky if the process is not managed carefully with appropriate legal safeguards. How to mitigate the risks of a confidentiality leak Counterfeiters and copycats often obtain information via the existing supply chain, so one of your…

The UK is undoubtedly a good place to launch innovative technology. The UK has a goal to transform into a tech superpower by 2030 and is developing international partnerships across academia, government and industry to make this happen.  The UK is already ranked fourth in the Global Innovation Index for 2022 and ranked 12th in the 2022 Network Readiness Index, and it is renowned for a thriving tech ecosystem.   The “Flip Up”  This is why the UK has become an attractive option for foreign based tech startups to move their business to the UK via a “flip up”.  Flipping…

In an update to the original Data Protection and Digital Information Bill brought to the UK’s House of Commons on 18th July 2022, the Data Protection and Digital Information (No.2) Bill was introduced on 8th March 2023 with the aim of strengthening the country’s data protection law and increasing online safety. What is the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill? Michelle Donelan, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, said that the new Bill followed a detailed consultation with industry and business, as well as privacy and consumer groups and would “create a new UK data rights regime tailor-made…

Whilst there are many pros that social media can create for a business it is not without its cons. As the internet continues to grow at a rate that the law has failed to keep up with, organisations have had to adapt to deal with a wide range of online problems. There is no ‘social media law’ you can call on to address these issues. Instead, a mix of long-established legal principles and new laws are used in a bid to address the ever-changing issues presented by social media. Problems include unfavourable reviews, account hacking, data protection breaches, fake accounts…

Companies across the UK are facing changes to GDPR regulations but assurances have been given that new arrangements for UK companies will remain compatible with EU digital protection rules. Michele Donelan MP, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has reaffirmed the government intention to redraft rules on data protection following the UK’s decision to leave the European Union. The Secretary of State believes the current data protection laws bind businesses with “ unnecessary red tape” and says this particularly causes issues for smaller companies. This is very likely to mean changes in how data breaches are reported, as…

A former Government Minister has suggested plans to diverge from European Union data protection rules may be ditched, adding that such a move could result in the UK being no longer seen as a trusted partner in the field of data security and could cost businesses money. Lord Kirkhope says the change of Conservative Party leader, and by extension Prime Minister, offer an opportunity to pause post-Brexit divergence plans. The new Data Protection and Digital Information Bill puts forward a range of proposals to “remove the UK GDPR’s prescriptive requirements”, including reducing the requirements placed on firms to employ a…

It has been over two years since the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force for EU countries, and the UK put it on the domestic statute book with the Data Protection Act 2018. At the time of implementation GDPR was a high-profile topic and organisations across the country were frantically reviewing and changing processes to ensure compliance with the new Act. Two years on it seems that some organisations have side-lined Data Protection as a priority which creates the risk of a Data Protection Act breach and potential fines from the ICO.

Since March 2020, businesses have had to change the way that they work and, while technology has facilitated many of these changes, it is important not to lose sight of obligations in regard to data protection policies and procedures.

Part 1 can be found at: GDPR - A guide for Business (Part 1)