New GDPR Regulations For The UK

During the recent Conservative Party conference which took place between October 2nd-5th, it was announced that the UK will be scrapping the EU’s GDPR regulations in favour of new UK regulations. 

GDPR, or general data protection regulations, are in place to ensure companies and organisations protect personal data correctly and also provide proof of this protection to ensure consumers are protected and have control over their data. 

After leaving the EU, the UK decided to replace old regulations with their own new ones. However, it has been confirmed that the government is pausing a data reform bill in order to rethink and redraft legislation regarding GDPR. 

Changes in GDPR regulations could affect businesses nationwide as any amendments made would have to be adhered to by said businesses, so their entire data protection systems would have to be reviewed. 

On the whole, the new UK regulations adhere largely to the EU’s, but several amendments have been made to consent for online data tracking, scientific research, public sector data sharing and also changing regulations for small UK-based businesses. 

While the changes may be small, it could end up being costly for many businesses and also affect trade with countries within the EU and the European economic area. 

Since leaving the EU, there has already been an overhaul of GDPR, so any new changes will be taking place after businesses spent time and money investing in compliance only four years ago. 

Regardless of how long the new legislation is paused for, it is likely that the changes will start being implemented soon and businesses will need to amend their practices in accordance with the new regulations.