The government has introduced a data bill in the House of Lords today, claiming it will benefit public services and boost the UK economy by £10bn.
The Data Use and Access Bill will enable all NHS trusts, GP surgeries, and ambulance services to access patient healthcare records. This move is expected to save 140,000 hours a year in NHS staff time, leading to quicker treatment and potentially saving lives, according to the Department for Science Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
The 59-page bill, which supports Labour’s 10-year health plan, will mandate technology suppliers to ensure their systems comply with technical standards for sharing health records across different IT systems.
Additionally, the bill proposes granting police access to personal data from police databases during investigations without the need to manually document the justification for the search. This change is estimated to save 1.5 million hours of police time and £43m in taxpayers’ money.
Technology secretary Peter Kyle stated that these plans will enhance the NHS and reduce administrative tasks, ultimately benefiting frontline workers and the public.
However, campaign groups have expressed concerns that the bill could compromise individual protection from companies and government entities using AI and automated decision-making for significant life decisions, potentially leading to unintended data sharing.
Digital IDs
DSIT also highlights that the bill’s improved data usage will simplify online identity verification for activities like renting a flat or starting a job.
The bill will establish regulations for digital verification services, allowing certified companies providing identity verification tools to receive a government “trust mark.”
Digital IDs have the potential to revolutionize daily tasks. This bill creates more opportunities to simplify life for UK citizens through expanded digital ID applications.
Julie Dawson, Yoti
According to DSIT, this legislation will ensure that digital verification services are inclusive, secure, and privacy-preserving, aiding individuals in identifying trustworthy services. The bill will also support open banking and smart data initiatives, enabling data sharing for personalized financial advice and product comparisons.
Julie Dawson, chief policy and regulatory officer at biometric supplier Yoti, emphasized that the establishment of the Digital Verification Service (DVS) will boost confidence in digital identities and simplify daily tasks for UK citizens.
Online safety
In alignment with the Online Safety Bill, the proposed Data Use and Access Bill will grant researchers access to data held by online platforms for independent research on online safety, crucial for monitoring harmful content on social media.
Other provisions include transitioning from paper-based to electronic registration of deaths in England and Wales, offering remote death registration through phone calls to local authorities.
The bill will also establish the National Underground Asset Register as a statutory requirement for water and telecom companies to register their assets, aiming to reduce accidents and economic losses related to underground infrastructure.
Reforms to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) are also part of the bill, introducing a new structure and enhanced enforcement powers.
Radical data protection reforms dropped
The new Data Use and Access Bill incorporates measures from the previous government’s Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, omitting more radical data protection reforms that could hinder UK-EU data sharing.
Legal experts from Linklaters welcome this approach, as it avoids unnecessary divergence from EU data protection standards and reduces risks regarding data transfers. The bill addresses weaknesses in the current data protection regime, including expediting investigations and regulating technologies like pixel tracking and device fingerprinting.
The bill empowers the secretary of state to determine countries as adequate or inadequate for data transfers, with the ability to halt data transfers to inadequate jurisdictions.
Benefits to police and NHS
NHS England’s national director of transformation, Vin Diwakar, believes the bill will enhance patient care by providing health professionals more direct interaction with patients and improving clinical outcomes.
By optimizing data utilization, we can create a modern, digital NHS that enhances patient care while saving time and resources.
Vin Diwakar, NHS England
Minister Diana Johnson emphasizes that the bill will enable police officers to focus on public safety rather than administrative tasks, supporting the government’s commitment to enhancing neighborhood policing.
Industry experts, like Neil Ross from TechUK, view the bill as a positive step towards unlocking data’s potential, urging a cultural shift to maximize the benefits of data-driven technologies.
Areas of concern
However, the removal of police logging requirements raises concerns of divergence from the EU’s Law Enforcement Directive (LED), jeopardizing the UK’s LED adequacy renewal in 2025.
The Open Rights Group (ORG) highlights potential risks of the bill, such as inadequate protection from AI and automated decision-making, which could lead to significant decisions being made without human review in areas like policing and welfare.
The bill’s facilitation of data sharing among organizations and public authorities raises privacy concerns, as data collected for one purpose may be used for unrelated activities like immigration control or predictive policing.
Furthermore, ORG expresses apprehension about the government’s influence on the Information Commissioner’s Office appointments, potentially compromising the ICO’s independence and accountability.
