Context
The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) has issued a statement in response to the Government laying the Data Sharing Code of Practice before Parliament on 18 May 2021. The ICO published its first Data Sharing Code in 2011.
The new data sharing code aims to give businesses and organisations the confidence to share data in a fair, safe and transparent way, and it dispels many of the remaining myths about data sharing. The code will guide organisations through the practical steps they need to take to share data while protecting people’s privacy.
Key points to note
- The Data Sharing Code of Practice will lay before Parliament for 40 sitting days before coming into force.
- This is a statutory code of practice made under section 121 of the Data Protection Act 2018.
- It is a practical guide for organisations about how to share personal data in compliance with data protection law. It aims to give firms confidence to share data fairly and proportionately.
- The Code includes sections and guidance on a number of topics including:
- Data sharing agreements
- Accountability
- Fairness and transparency in data sharing
- The rights of individuals
Next actions
Firms should take the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the code as it will impact any firm that shares personal data with other firms or organisations.