London: 6 July 2010

The UK Ministry of Justice has announced a public consultation on the UK and European Union data protection laws.

The announcement states:

“Plans were outlined today to seek views on the European Data Protection Directive and the Data Protection Act to ensure that current laws continue to safeguard people’s personal data in the 21st Century.

The Ministry of Justice is issuing a Call for Evidence on current data protection legislation, asking for views on how the European Directive and the Data Protection Act are working, the impact of data protection on individuals and business, and whether the current powers and penalties of the Information Commissioner could be strengthened. This comes ahead of the negotiations on a new EU data protection instrument.”

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The public consultation opened on the 6th July 2010 and will close on the 6th October 2010. The consultation document poses 39 questions.

The consultation document titled: Call for Evidence on the Current Data Protection Legislative Framework (56 pages) Forward states:

“Data protection affects us all.

Whether we are shopping online, giving bank details to a charity, renewing our passport, or engaging in a whole host of day-to-day activities, we are handing over the keys to our personal information. How that information is then stored, handled and passed on matters a great deal and it can have real effects on our lives. As individuals, as consumers and as citizens we need to know that our personal data is properly protected.

The way we go about our business has been radically transformed in the space of a generation. On the one hand, the digital revolution means that shops, online retailers, banks, Government agencies and departments can transact their business quickly and efficiently, tailoring their services to the needs of the individual. On the other hand, this involves disclosing information about ourselves, about our preferences, and even about our families and lifestyles. For some, this is a small price to pay for an effective, joined-up service. For others, it represents an uncomfortable intrusion into their private lives, and a worrying imbalance of power.

The European Union Data Protection Directive and the Data Protection Act are there to meet those concerns in a proportionate and fair way. If there are ways in which they could be improved, then Government needs to take action.

This is brought into focus at a time when the European Directive is set to be reviewed and I hope as many of you as possible will respond to this call for evidence. It will give the Government a solid evidence base to use in negotiations with other European Union parties. I believe we have everything to gain from a sensible, proportionate and rights-based data protection framework, and one that works for you as businesses, service-providers and citizens.”

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