New data bill criticised as 'bonfire of data rights'
British businesses will be "sweating" as they navigate regulatory changes.
The UK Government's Data Protection and Digital Information Bill will turn the UK into a 'global data laundering centre' and enable data oligarchs to escape restrictions by sending data abroad without meaningful protections.
That is the view of privacy advocacy organisation the Open Rights Group (ORG), which claims the new bill will transform the UK into a 'digital police state,' as mass data sharing will be allowed with law enforcement agencies without proper checks and balances.
"In one of the hottest days of the year, Nadine Dorries has announced a bonfire of data rights," said Jim Killock, executive director of the ORG. He made his comments as the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS), Nadine Dorries, presented the new bill in the House of Commons on Monday.
The Government introduced the bill after publishing its response to the 'Data: A New Direction' consultation on 17th June 2022. It insists the bill will transform data regulations and foster innovation in fields like AI, using Brexit's (alleged) advantages to maintain security for privacy and personal data, while generating almost £1 billion in savings for companies.
"Through this Bill we will realise the opportunities of responsible data use whilst maintaining the UK's high data protection standards," Matt Warman, Minister for Media, Data and Digital Infrastructure, said in a statement.
"The EU does not require countries to have the same rules to grant adequacy, so it is our belief that these reforms are compatible with maintaining a free flow of personal data from the European Economic Area."
Some organisations, including the ICO, have commended the steps, but not everyone is pleased.
The ORG warned last month that ICO reform could compromise the regulator's independence and expose it to 'political direction.'
'The Government are boldly taking the side of the abusers and the law-breakers: the UK Data Reform Bill will make it the default setting to spy on us, and your burden to opt-out of something you never wanted in the first place,' the ORG said.
Killock said the new Bill will make it easier for anybody to violate the basic rights and freedoms of British residents.
After the bill goes into effect, "British businesses will be sweating as they try to get their heads around another costly and expensive change to the regulatory regime."
"This data oligarchs charter will cheat workers out of their rights, increase regulatory costs for business, and will only benefit global tech companies.
"This bill will scrap important protections from prejudice and bias afforded to women, workers, patients, migrants, ethnic minorities, and vulnerable people and communities, and everyone else.
"This Bill will enshrine discrimination, bias and prejudice into UK law."