PLP is urging Parliamentarians to make key changes to the Data Protection and Digital Information (No 2) Bill to improve transparency and accountability, and to ensure data rights are not eroded.

Read our Second Reading briefing

Automated Decision-Making systems powered by big data can result in quicker and more consistent outcomes. They also carry the risk of discrimination and harm. Decisions made by automated processes can have life-altering consequences.

We are therefore calling for the following changes to be made to the Bill:

  • Access to personal data: Clause 7 should be removed from the Bill: it significantly limits people’s ability to access information about how their personal data is being collected and used.
  • Right to be informed about use of personal data: Clause 9 should be removed from the Bill: it curtails the right of the data subject to be informed about how their data is used.
  • Fully automated decision-making: Clause 11 should be removed, and Article 22 retained as a prohibition on solely automated decision-making.
  • Limitations on impact assessments limited: Changes to Clause 17 that mean impact assessments are only required for ‘high risk processing’ should be removed from the Bill.
  • Delegated powers: Clause 106 should be narrowed to allow ministers to make provisions that are consequential on the Act only where necessary, as recommended by the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee.

Read our Second Reading briefing