In today’s King’s Speech, the new Labour Government has pledged to enhance data services through the introduction of the Digital Information and Smart Data Bill.

Following the recent abandonment of the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill (No.2) ahead of the election, it is not wholly unexpected that data matters might feature on Labour’s legislative agenda.

Today’s speech provides a helpful overview into the key areas of focus for the new Government:

• Fostering ‘innovative’ uses of data to help boost the economy. The government wants to ‘harness the power of data for economic growth, to support a modern digital government, and to improve people’s lives’.
• Safety: the new innovative uses are to be ‘safely developed and deployed’. Alongside the announcement of this Digital Information and Smart Data Bill, there is another safety focused Bill proposed; The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill.
• Introduction of Smart Data schemes: to securely share customer data on their request with authorised third party providers.
• Improved digital public services: by amending the Digital Economy Act to facilitate the Government sharing data about businesses which use public services.
• Establishment of Digital Verification Services to provide ‘secure and trusted digital identity products and services from certified providers’ with the aim of assisting practical things such as ‘moving house, pre-employment checks, and buying age restricted goods and services’.
• Creation of a National Underground Asset Register to enable planners and excavators instant access to pipe and cable data.
• Implementing changes to consent practices for scientists to be able to conduct scientific research.
• Regulation: The ICO are to be bolstered with ‘new, stronger powers’. As part of the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill powers will be given to regulations to strengthen cyber security defences.

Given there has been no mention of individual rights, we may not expect to see a step-change departure from the UK GDPR formulation of data subject rights.

Check back here for updates on the precise text.