The consultation Data: a new direction by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sports (DCMS) (PL&B UK Report November 2021, p.1) has attracted thousands of responses. The government’s response is expected some time in the spring. While the DCMS is busy analysing stakeholders’ views, we are taking a look at some of the areas that have generated much discussion.

The outgoing Information Commissioner, Elizabeth Denham, said on the publication of the proposals that while she supported the government’s intention of the proposals to make innovation easier for organisations, and simplifying some aspects of the law, “the devil is in the detail”. The DCMS is now collecting evidence to back some of its proposals.