Is GDPR Still Applicable When The UK Leaves The EU?

I’m sure you are already aware that the UK is finally set to leave the EU on January 31st, 2020. However, one of the many things causing confusion is whether or not the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) will still be applicable after this date or can they just be ignored? 

To help clarify the position for UK businesses the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) have issued advice urging companies to continue to uphold GDPR as part of their ongoing systems and processes. In an official statement in 2018 after the UK decided to leave the EU, the Information Commissioner’s Office explained that the Data Protection Act will remain as part of UK law but that GDPR may not continue to be applicable. However, they also stated that if the UK wishes to successfully negotiate a trade deal with the EU then they will need to deliver equivalent assurances around data protection, which could be interpreted as the UK requiring to enforce data protection laws that are equal to the European Union.

The full details of the Information Commissioner’s Office statement can be found here: “With so many businesses and services operating across borders, international consistency around data protection laws and rights is crucial both to businesses and organisations and to consumers and citizens. The ICO’s role has always involved working closely with regulators in other countries, and that would continue to be the case.”

Most businesses in the UK will trade with EU customers to some degree or another and will want to see this relationship continue and grow. If your business falls into this camp then you need to continue to provide the same level of data protection as the EU and this means adhering to GDPR. GDPR is applicable to any business that works with EU customers, whether you are an EU member state or not, also, leading experts predict that as it leaves the EU the UK will develop its own data protection laws that closely mirrors those specified by GDPR. As a result the most sensible approach for any UK business to take as we leave the European Union is to continue to adhere to the standards of GDPR, it will future proof your business and ensure a high standard of service for all of your customers.

How Can Computer Recycling Help With GDPR?

In basic terms, GDPR makes you and your business responsible for the security and handling of your customers data and this also applies to data that you are no-longer using. So as your IT equipment comes to the end of life it’s important to not only consider the environmental impacts of your computer disposal but also the secure deletion of any personal data it has stored. It is for this reason that it’s important to engage a professional computer recycling company like Buy IT Back when disposing of any IT equipment.

For more information on how Buy IT Back can ensure that you are GDPR compliant please call us on 01621 786860 for some free advice or contact us here.

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