Chloe SmithMP for Norwich North
Chloe SmithToday I received a letter from Matt Hancock, the Minister of State for Digital, outlining the steps the Government is taking to ensure we remain one of the most digitally advanced countries in the world.
The Government has published its statement of intent on the Date Protection Bill. A statement of intent essentially gives you a high level view of what the Government aims to achieve by passing this bill.
The bill will seek to reassure people about how their data is handled. This is, of course, incredibly important in today’s day and age, as more data is being produced and stored than ever before – a sure sign that our economy is pressing ahead and continuing to grow.
The bill includes measures on includes tougher rules on consent, rights to access, rights to move and rights to delete data. This will ensure that businesses and members of the public receive the best protection of their data. Crucially, these measures will allow individuals to request their data held by social media companies from their childhood is deleted.
The Information Commissioner’s Office will also receive greater powers to issue higher fines on organisations who do not follow the high standards we expect them to meet. The bill will also implement the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) into UK law, helping Britain prepare for a successful Brexit. As the letter says:
“The ability to transfer data across international borders is crucial to the economy and the Bill will put the UK on the front foot for our relationships with the EU and across the world.”
The letter goes on to also address the growing concern members of the public have about their digital security. The UK has led the fight against cybercrime and illegal online practices. However, we know there is more to be done. That is why the Government is seeking to bring the cyber security of all our essential services into UK law, to ensure that the fight against cyber-attacks against our energy, transport and health infrastructure remains properly funded. We will achieve all this by implementing the Network and Information Systems Directive, known as the NIS Directive.
Its implementation will form a vital part of this Government’s £1.9 billion National Cyber Security Strategy which aims to protect the nation from cyber threats and make the UK the safest place to live and work online.
As always, I am focused on keeping you updated on the work the Government is doing to make your life in Norwich better. Parliament will be returning in early September and I anticipate I will have more good news to feed back to you once we return.
For further information on the proposals planned by the Government to give you greater data and online security in Norwich and across the country, please refer to the link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-strengthen-uk-data-protection-law
