More than two years after Brexit saw the United Kingdom leave the European Union, the country comes to announce signing of its first partnership related to data sharing. Since August 2021, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) no longer applicable across the Channel and the British have already announced that they wish to break away from this legislation.
The first data transfer agreement signed by the United Kingdom
This agreement with South Korea will allow British agencies to transfer data without restrictions to the country of the morning calm, and vice versa. These data transfers cover all digital services that can be provided in one of the two countries, but used or performed in the other. This is the first data agreement concluded by the United Kingdom since the country left the European Union.
Britain’s data minister, Julia Lopez, said that ” this signing marks an important milestone for the UK, the Republic of Korea and the high data protection standards we share “. She adds that ” this new agreement will accelerate digital trade to boost British businesses, as well as research to improve people’s lives through data “.
The British government specifies that, according to it, the protection of personal data and the free flow of data across borders are two aspects of the transfer of data which can coexist. It is in this sense that the United Kingdom is currently working to set a frame making it possible to reconcile protection and free movement of data, which could jeopardize the data transfer agreement between the EU and the UK.
South Korea already very active in sharing and storing data between borders
South Korea’s personal data protection commissioner, Jong in Yoon, said he was ” honored to accept this joint statement today. Strengthening cooperation between the UK and the Republic of Korea based on shared recognition of high standards of protection can help shape a healthier and more sustainable global data landscape “.
South Korea was one of the countries designated to set up and be part of an international data adequacy initiative aimed at liberalizing data flows without restriction and with maximum security. The other countries concerned were the United States, Singapore, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Colombia, but also the United Kingdom.
Ironically, if the UK had remained in the EU, it could also have enjoyed a data adequacy partnership with South Korea since the country had already signed such an agreement with Europe, even though this one is logically centered around the GDPR.
