The UK has the most liberal approach to
personal data protection of anywhere in Europe, according to a
survey of 31 countries by law
firm
Linklaters.
Richard Cumbley, partner at Linklaters, said companies should
therefore ignore the current UK approach to personal data when
formulating corporate policies on handling personal
information.
He said organisations needed to take a more cautious approach to
personal information in line with everyone else in Europe, to
prepare for likely changes to the UK law.
Cumbley said UK companies with operations elsewhere in Europe
should ensure their policies and practices conform to the laws that
apply wherever they have the most business, to protect the company
from liabilty.
"Companies should adopt a risk-based approach and look to the
law that affects the biggest part of their business," he said.
Cumbley said UK changes were most likely to be as a result of
the European Commission's drive to get the UK to comply with its
data protection directive.
Information commissioner criticises European data protection act
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