Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he has had recent discussions with the Information Commissioner’s Office on the potential risks of using foreign-owned companies to manage cloud-based data systems in the public sector.

The Secretary of State has not specifically discussed foreign-owned cloud-based data systems with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

The ICO has discussed the compliance of cloud system rules on international transfers with government officials. The ICO will produce and update guidance during the implementation of the Data (Use and Access) Act, including around the use of processors and sub-processors which may be relevant to cloud based systems.