UK Relations with EU

(asked on 16th November 2020) - View Source

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport what contingency plans he has with respect to the UK's future relationship with the EU in the event of a UK-based companies being disadvantaged through the treatment of data after the transition period.


Answered by
John Whittingdale Portrait
John Whittingdale
This question was answered on 23rd November 2020

We are working constructively with the Commission to secure data adequacy by the end of the transition period. We see no reason why we should not be awarded adequacy. However, the process is controlled by the Commission, and we are realistic about the increasingly challenging timelines for completion.

If adequacy decisions are not in place by the end of the transition period, organisations would be able to use alternative legal mechanisms to continue receiving personal data from the EU. Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) are the most common legal safeguard and will be the relevant mitigation for most organisations.

The ICO has created an interactive SCCs tool for businesses to use and further guidance can be found on GOV.UK and the ICO’s website regarding steps organisations may be required to take relating to data protection and data flows by the end of the transition period.

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