Kingsley Hayes, MD at data breach and cybersecurity specialist Hayes Connor Solicitors
By Legal Futures’ Associate Hayes Connor Solicitors
The UK has left the European Union however, GDPR, an EU regulation, still applies during the transition period which is due to end in December 2020.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has advised that organisations who hold, process and share personal information should continue to adhere to data protection obligations under GDPR.
Kingsley Hayes, managing director at data breach and cybercrime specialist Hayes Connor Solicitors, said: “It is still unknown what, if any, significant changes will be made to data protection laws after December 2020 as much depends on negotiations taking place during this year. Until then, the advice from the ICO is very much ‘watch this space’.
“It creates a lot of uncertainty for organisations, particularly those who handle and manage large volumes of confidential information. Businesses are advised to continue to ensure practices and systems comply with GDPR which is likely to be incorporated into UK law from January 2021.
“The complexity comes in for organisations operating in Europe or those that are receiving and sharing confidential data with EU countries. Since GDPR came into effect, consumers are more aware of their data protection rights, and increasingly taking steps to seek redress if their personal information is not adequately protected.
“Regardless of what the data protection scenario may be from January 2021, consumers will rightly still expect organisations to treat their personal data in a responsible manner.”
Hayes Connor Solicitors is a data breach and cybercrime specialist firm representing thousands of claimants with current data breach actions against British Airways, Dixons Carphone, Equifax, Marriott International, OnePlus, The Police Federation of England and Wales, TeamSport and Ticketmaster.
For more information about Hayes Connor Solicitors, visit the website at www.hayesconnor.co.uk
