Data Protection and Digital Information (No. 2) Bill (First sitting)

Debate between Chi Onwurah and Carol Monaghan

Committee stage
Wednesday 10th May 2023 Public Bill Committees

[Carol Monaghan (Glasgow North West) (SNP)]

Q Clause 40 sets out the criteria by which a data controller can refuse data access requests. Do you think this is appropriate? Are you concerned that it may lead to a situation in which only those who can afford to pay a potential fee will be able to access their data?

John Edwards: Yes and no. Yes, I do believe it is an adequate provision, and no, I do not believe there will be an economic barrier to people accessing their information rights.

[Chi Onwurah]

Q The Bill’s intent is to reduce burdens on organisations while maintaining high data protection standards. Do you agree that high data protection standards are promoted by well-informed and empowered citizens? What steps do you think the Bill takes to ensure greater information empowerment for citizens?

John Edwards: Yes, I do believe that an empowered citizenry is best placed to enjoy these rights. However, I also believe that the complexity of the modern digital environment creates such an information asymmetry that it is important for strong advocates such as the Information Commissioner’s Office to act as a proxy on behalf of citizenry. I do not believe that we should devolve responsibility to citizens purely to ensure that high standards are set and adhered to in digital industries.