Reform of UK data protection framework
5.6.2023
Question for written answer E-001790/2023
to the Commission
Rule 138
Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield (Verts/ALE), Saskia Bricmont (Verts/ALE), Sergey Lagodinsky (Verts/ALE), Patrick Breyer (Verts/ALE), Anna Cavazzini (Verts/ALE)
As part of the UK’s attempts to reform its data protection framework, the lower house of the UK Parliament discussed the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill on 17 April 2023. If the bill is adopted, it could make it more difficult to exercise data protection rights, contest an automated decision or seek administrative redress in the UK. It would also introduce delegated legislative powers for the government to remove legal safeguards, to authorise international data transfers that lack adequate safeguards and to interfere with the impartial functioning of the UK Data Protection Authority.
UK civil society organisations have called these provisions undemocratic, claiming that these powers would not be subject to meaningful parliamentary scrutiny. However, the UK Government has described the Commission’s comments on this bill as very positive.
Given this, could the Commission:
- 1)Confirm that it expressed a positive view of the UK data protection reform?
- 2)Clarify whether it has already assessed these changes to UK data protection law, including whether these delegated legislative powers are compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights, and if it has investigated the changes, whether they will affect EU citizens living in the UK?
- 3)Elaborate on how the bill will affect the UK adequacy decision under the General Data Protection Regulation?
Submitted:5.6.2023