Government consults on EU's competence in the field of information rights

A government consultation seeks views on the balance of competences between the UK and the European Union on the protection of personal data, and access by individuals to public information.

The Review will provide a comprehensive analysis of how the EU affects information rights of individuals, business and organisations. For example, what evidence is there that the EU’s competence and the way it has used it (principally the Data Protection Directive) has been advantageous or disadvantageous to individuals, business, the public sector or any other groups in the UK?

The government also wants to know whether there is evidence that the EU’s competence, and the way it has used it, is meeting the challenges posed by the increasing international flow of data, technological developments, and the growth of online commerce and social networks. Is the proposal for the EU Data Protection Regulation advantageous or disadvantageous to individuals, business, the public sector or any other groups in the UK?

The consultation runs until 1 Jul 2014. 

On 1st July, Justice Minister, Simon Hughes will speak at Privacy Laws & Business’ 27th Annual International Conference, New Horizons – New Risks, at Queens’ College, Cambridge.