Getting data & privacy right

In the context of digital advertising, data privacy means balancing individuals’ right to privacy with their desire for high-quality digital services and content, which are both free and tailored to people’s preferences and interests. Data enables content and advertising to be tailored for, and targeted to, specific audiences.

Cross-border data flows and a practical, proportionate data protection regime are pre-requisites to the effective functioning of digital advertising businesses and to the UK’s attractiveness as a place to innovate and operate digital businesses.

2017 saw the AA’s data protection working group, chaired by Chris Combemale of the Direct Marketing Association, focus their attention on the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation and the negotiations in Brussels for a new e-Privacy Regulation. DCMS officials, who regularly attend our meetings, provided invaluable insight into these negotiations, particularly in two key areas:

GDPR implementation

2017 saw us responding to several consultations on the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation before it takes effect in May 2018. Calls for evidence from the Information Commissioner’s Office and the Article 29 Working Party have been key as they develop guidance to help businesses comply with the new rules. The AA provided evidence during the development of the Data Protection Bill, calling on Government to exercise important derogations that will help businesses continue to provide content and services to users.

We also welcomed the Government’s Data Protection Bill, and have written to Ministers including David Davis, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, in support of the ICO continuing to have a role in the European data protection authorities’ network post-Brexit.

e-Privacy Regulation

We organised a European industry lunch in Brussels to discuss the proposed e-Privacy Regulation with representatives from the European Parliament and Member States, including the MEP leading the negotiations and UK Government officials.