WIREDGOV

As most people know, one of the prime requirements of Data Protection is to keep one’s data / secrets safe and it appears that one of the current best kept secrets in the public sector is GDPR, or the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation……..

The Reform consists of two instruments:

• The General Data Protection Regulation will enable people to better control their personal data. At the same time modernised and unified rules will allow businesses to make the most of the opportunities of the Digital Single Market by cutting red tape and benefiting from reinforced consumer trust.
• The Data Protection Directive for the police & criminal justice sector will ensure that the data of victims, witnesses, and suspects of crimes, are duly protected in the context of a criminal investigation or a law enforcement action. At the same time more harmonised laws will also facilitate cross-border cooperation of police or prosecutors to combat crime & terrorism more effectively across Europe.

The reform is intended to allow people to regain control of their personal data.  Following political agreement reached in trilogue, the final texts will be formally adopted by the European Parliament and Council at the beginning 2016.  The new rules will become applicable 2 years thereafter.

Quoting Public Technology.net; …fines have been agreed as part of a draft General Data Protection Regulation which is aimed at regulating the processing of citizens’ data across the continent.  Businesses breaching the rules face the massive fines, but the text of the new directive allows the UK government to restrict the scope of the rules under a number of circumstances which are likely to cover government. Councils uncertain over effect of European Union GDPR

It looks like the Information Commissioner’s Office, Socitm, techUK, et al. have a busy 2 years ahead of them publishing guidance and getting the UK public sector up to speed on this issue over the next 2 years!

Agreement on Commission's EU data protection reform will boost Digital Single Market

A further step towards comprehensive EU data protection

ICO:  “20m reasons for organisations to get EU data reforms right”

EC proposal on new data protection rules in law enforcement area backed by Justice Ministers

The UK and France create new joint Data Taskforce

Public Technology.net:  EU data protection – What does the new regulation mean for public sector suppliers?

EPP New General Data Protection Regulation is response to questions of the last century

Pinsent Masons:  GDPR

Ashfords:  The new EU General Data Protection Regulation is finally here