The UK today paved the way to continue the flow of data between British businesses and the EU after Brexit, by introducing a Data Protection Bill in the Queen's Speech.
The bill sets out the government's intention to comply with EU data protection measures once the UK is no longer part of the union, by providing adequate, equivalent legislation.
Prime minister Theresa May's minority government intends "to put the UK in the best position to maintain our ability to share data with other EU member states and internationally after we leave the EU", the bill affirmed.
Cross-border data flows were worth 3.8% of global GDP in 2014, according to McKinsey, with the UK contributing to 11.5% of all data transactions the following year. A TechUK report titled The UK Digital Sectors After Brexit found that 75% of the UK's cross-border data flows in 2015-16 involved EU countries.
The bill also outlines the government's plan to implement the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) when it comes into force in May next year, though the tougher data protection law will apply to all EU member states automatically, requiring no secondary legislation.
It includes an aim to introduce one of the Tories' manifesto pledges into UK law - the right for people to demand social media firms delete their data once they turn 18 years old.
Mark O'Halloran, a partner in Coffin Mew Solicitors' tech team, said: "The 'right to be forgotten' is a welcome protection for children once they turn 18, but that's just something the government chose to highlight. The real purpose of the Data Protection Bill will be to incorporate GDPR into UK law.
"It's shame that the government isn't seeking to address the most pressing safeguarding concern for children using social media: verifying their actual age."
TechUK CEO Julian David added: "We support the government's commitment to maintain the UK's world class protection of people's personal data. This will include implementing GDPR, the biggest transformation of data protection rules in a generation. The government must have a robust plan to support businesses through this process."
Digital Charter
The Queen also announced a digital charter, another manifesto pledge with the twin goals of improving internet safety and making it easier for people to set up digital firms in the UK.
"We strongly support a free and open internet," a government paper read. "But, as in the offline world, freedoms online must be balanced with protections to ensure citizens are protected from the potential harms of the digital world. We will not shy away from tackling harmful behaviours and harmful content online - be that extremist, abusive or harmful to children. And we will make sure that technology companies do more to protect their users and improve safety online."
The Conservatives have already hinted at introducing fines for social networks that don't tackle hate speech adequately, but the government has also called for backdoors into firms' encryption software, despite industry fears this could leave people and businesses vulnerable to hackers, as well.
David said: "[The industry] will work closely with the government on its plans for a Digital Charter and counter extremism measures. However, there is a fine line between strengthening protection and over reaching rules that constrain the creativity of businesses and citizens."
"We would hope that a Digital Charter's regulatory framework will include independent or judicial oversight of material that is taken down by Internet companies," added privacy campaign organisation the Open Rights Group's executive director, Jim Killock.
Sonia Blizzard, managing director of internet service provider Beaming, welcomed the digital charter's aim to make the web a safer place, but added: "Making the UK the best place to start and run a digital business requires much more than a commitment to boosting security though.
"As customer expectations and data usage grow, factors such as speed and service resilience become ever more important, so it is vital that the Conservatives keep their manifesto pledge to accelerate rollout of the full-fibre technology that will improve service across the country and establish the clear path to national fibre coverage they've promised over the next decade."
What the election manifestos promise for tech Tech sector demands economy focus amid election uncertainty General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) EU to give police forces far reaching data collection powers
