The Information Commissioner’s Office has confirmed that former New Zealand Privacy Commissioner John Edwards has taken up the new role of the British Information Commissioner.
His first task is to help the government adjust the EU’s data protection rules, and he hopes to create a new, More “support for innovation” system.
Long before he started his new job, Edwards promised to do it. “The UK has the right to accept Fleetwood Mac’s advice and’go its own way’,” he quoted a soft rock super band as saying in September. “Ensure mutual respect for different laws and cultural traditions… lead to different expressions of the same goal,” He said.
Although legal experts have warned the United Kingdom of the danger of deviating too far from the EU General Data Protection Directive-or risking the current decision to allow data sharing between the United Kingdom and the European Union to support the adequacy of business as usual-his message is not to stop. Believe.
According to the pre-prepared offer announcing his official arrival, he believes that his role is “to work with the people we entrust data so that they can easily respect our privacy while still benefiting from data-driven innovation,” very much. In line with the government’s wishes”Create a data system that is more conducive to growth and innovation.”
The government’s consultation on a new proposal for a new data protection law has also made progress Caused panic among data privacy and ethics activists Based on its proposal to cancel the right of individuals to challenge decisions made by artificial intelligence.
The National Data Guardian of the United Kingdom also expressed opposition. He is responsible for overseeing the use of health data in the United Kingdom. Who expressed “major concerns” about the proposal.
Edwards succeeded Elizabeth Denham CBE, whose term as the British Information Commissioner ended last year.Since assuming the position in 2016, Denham has used her last few months warn Regarding the future independence of ICOs.
Denham said in October: “Despite…wide support for the proposal to reform the ICO charter, I have strong concerns about some important specific proposals because they pose a risk to regulatory independence.”
“For the future ICO to be able to hold the government accountable, it is vital that its governance model maintains its independence and is within the framework set by the parliament and has an effective accountability system.”
Edwards can’t calm down, uh, the rumors [really? – ed] ICO’s independence is threatened, but it does say: “Privacy is a right, not a privilege. In a world where our personal data can drive everything, from the healthcare we get to the job opportunities we see, we All should have our data to be respected.”
In 2022, the ICO stated that it will “actively engage” with the government on the proposed reform of the Data Protection Act. Whether it is a government that trades with “sweet little lies”, we will leave it to others to observe. ®
