Did you knowNeural is taking the stage this fall? Together with an amazing line-up of experts, we will explore the future of AI during TNW Conference 2021.Secure your online ticket now!
Brexit may be causingfood shortages,export pains, andeconomic damage, but the UK could reap one big benefit from leaving the EU: an end to constant cookie warnings.
The country has unveiledplans to overhaul its privacy ruleswhile maintaining an alignment with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Digital Secretary Oliver Dowdentold The Telegraphthat the changes would get rid of “endless” cookie pop-ups, which websites use to comply with EU laws.
The 💜 of EU tech
The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It’s free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!
The EU says the banners help protect privacy rights, but the notifications feel pretty pointless when almost no one reads them.
Dowden said the plan is to only require banners on “high risk” sites:
There’s an awful lot of needless bureaucracy and box-ticking and actually we should be looking at how we can focus on protecting people’s privacy but in as light a touch way as possible.
The reforms will be overseen by a new head of the country’s data regulator. The government has named New Zealand’s privacy commissioner, John Edwards, as its preferred candidate for the role.
Killing cookie warnings
Ina press release, Dowden said he was “determined” to develop a data policy that will “deliver a Brexit dividend” for people and businesses in the UK.
That means seeking exciting new international data partnerships with some of the world’s fastest-growing economies, for the benefit of British firms and British customers alike. It means reforming our own data laws so that they’re based on common sense, not box-ticking.
His plan to banish irksome cookie warnings is certainly attractive, but the new rules will need to be accepted by the EU. If they’re not, data transfers between the bloc and the UK could be thrown into chaos.
Brussels recently ruled that British data protection rules are “adequate.” But it added that the decisioncould be revoked“immediately” if the UK’s standards weaken.
Greetings Humanoids! Did you know we have a newsletter all about AI? You can subscribe to itright here.
Story byThomas Macaulay
Thomas is a senior reporter at TNW. He covers European tech, with a focus on AI, cybersecurity, and government policy.Thomas is a senior reporter at TNW. He covers European tech, with a focus on AI, cybersecurity, and government policy.
Get the TNW newsletter
Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.
