UK Report January 2026

UK Report - Issue 143

12 January 2026

UK Report January 2026

Overview

Contents

COMMENTS

• More ICO/Government cooperation: Less ICO focus on rights?
• Things to look out for in 2026

LEAD STORIES

• Paying compensation under UK data protection law
  The Court of Appeal lowers the bar for data protection compensation in Farley v Paymaster. The case now goes to the Supreme Court. By Victoria Hordern of Digiphile.
• How the Online Safety Act and UK data protection laws converge on protecting children
  Will compliance with one regime place organisations at risk under the other? By Mercedes Samavi and Georgia Wright of Morrison Foerster.

NEWS

• E-petition gathers 2.9 million signatures against digital ID cards
• UK government favours nonstatutory approach to AI

LEGISLATION

• Cyber Security and Resilience Bill: Updating the UK cyber security framework

MANAGEMENT

• How to run a successful data champions programme
• How to deploy AI within a data legal framework
• k-ID’s new AgeKit: A minor solution to the major problem of kids online?

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Ofcom issues a £1 million fine under OSA
  
• DRCF works on agentic AI
  
• EU renews UK’s data adequacy decisions
  
• ICO and FCA advise on targeted support and direct marketing
  
• ICO starts joint investigation with Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man
  
• ICO fines password manager provider £1.2m
  
• ICO continues with its public sector approach