Earlier in the year and before the Brexit results were announced we blogged on the EU General Data Protection Regulation (the Regulation) and the impact that this would have on employers going forward. But, what’s the story now the UK has voted to leave the EU - will the Regulation still apply to the UK?
It appears the answer is yes! On 31 October 2016, the Information Commissioner Office (ICO) confirmed that the UK would be implementing the Regulation which is due to commence in two years.
The confirmation followed a statement made by the Secretary of State, Karen Bradley MP at a Culture, Media and Sport Committee meeting earlier in the month. The MP stated that as we would still be members of the EU in 2018, it was expected that it would be “quite normal for us to opt into the GDPR and then look later at how best we might be able to help British business with data protection while maintaining high levels of protection for members of the public”.
The ICO have stated they will be publishing guidance on different areas over the next six months to better prepare organisations for the responsibilities they will be faced with under the new Regulation.
In light of the above, organisations would be best placed to continue to plan for the implementation of the Regulation as if it is still due to come into effect in May 2018. If you would like help and guidance on how to best do this, please contact a member of our employment team.