– A common-sense UK version of GDPR will reduce costs and burdens for UK businesses, remove barriers to international trade and provide fewer online pop-ups, writes the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology technology in A press release.

The GDPR was brought into UK law through a regulation, but after leaving the EU, Britons were free to update the rules. The first version of a UK GDPR was introduced last summer, but was put on hold in September 2022 for advice and help from business and privacy experts.

On Wednesday, the department presented a new version of a UK privacy regulation to parliament.

– The proposal makes the most of the GDPR, but is simpler, clearer and more business-friendly, the ministry says.

Will save 60 billion

Authorities say the new law will save the UK economy £4.7 billion over the next 10 years. This corresponds to almost NOK 60 billion.

However, critics have previously questioned whether this figure is based on reality.

In the long term, companies that process personal data in both the UK and the EU run the risk of incurring greater expense when faced with two sets of regulations, the adviser points out. Privacy Will Richmond-Coggan at computer journal.

If the different rules were to cause problems transferring data from the EU to England, in the same way that Schrems II made transatlantic data transfer difficult, it will only lead to even higher costs. It is still unlikely, says Richmond-Coggan.

Risk approach

According to the ministry, the new rules will be easier for businesses to follow.

– Today’s GDPR takes a top-down approach that limits companies’ flexibility to manage risk and places disproportionate burdens on small businesses, the department writes.

The new regulations further stipulate that only companies whose processing activities pose a high risk to the rights and freedoms of individuals must keep records of processing activities.

The new rules should also draw clearer lines between when consent is needed and when it is not, the department said.

– Our system will be easier to understand, easier to follow and take advantage of the many opportunities in the UK after Brexit. Businesses and citizens no longer need to ponder the difficult European GDPR, said Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology Michelle Donelan in the press release.