What does Brexit mean for data protection?

UK Prime Minister David Cameron has confirmed that a referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU will take place 23 June 2016. The public will be asked “Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?” and will be able to answer “Remain a member of European Union” or “Leave the European Union”.

The DMA is neutral on whether the UK should leave the EU or not. However, concerns have been raised over what a vote to leave would mean for the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

If the UK opted to leave it would enter into some form of trading relationship with the EU. Data protection would form part of any such trading agreement . Therefore, the UK would need to implement data protection legislation that was broadly equivalent with the GDPR.

DMA members should continue with their plans to implement the GDPR irrespective of the decision in the referendum as whatever the result the UK will be moving towards a standard on a par with the GDPR. The referendum is not a reason to delay plans to understand and become compliant with the GPDR.