Data (Use and Access) Act receives Royal Assent
On 11th June, the Data (Use and Access) Act was passed by the House of Lords, and received Royal Assent on 19th June. The Act reforms UK GDPR and PECR regulations, and establishes frameworks for the sharing of business and customer data, and digital identity verification.
This is a huge milestone for the smart data world, as the Act will open up new opportunities for research and insights which can inform policy, public service delivery and drive economic growth. There are four main themes to the Act:
Creating Smart Data Schemes
Building on the success of Open Banking, new cross-sector initiatives will give consumers more control over their data in sectors like finance, energy, and telecoms, enabling them to share their data with authorised third parties.
Supporting Innovative Research
Researchers will benefit from simplified data laws, enabling easier access to data for research. The Act also includes new provisions for accessing data from online platforms to support specific ‘online safety’ research. As part of Smart Data Research UK’s family of data services, we are keen to see how this will be implemented and support the development of responsible data sharing for research.
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Introducing Secure Digital Identity
The introduction of trusted UK Digital IDs promises safer, smoother digital experiences. When combined with the portability supported by Smart Data schemes, it also enables secure, opt-in data sharing for research and innovation.
Modernising Regulation
The ICO’s role is being updated to meet the challenges of today’s data-driven world, including AI and Smart Data initiatives.
There was extensive discussion about the use of copyrighted materials for the training of proprietary AI, and it appears the Lords and the government have reached a compromise, which is explained in more detail here.
The impact on smart data for policy and research
The government see the building of data-sharing ecosystems across the economy as key to unlocking long-term economic growth. The Act introduces new obligations for businesses to share data in specific circumstances, including for public interest and scientific research. This paves the way for Smart Data schemes to be embedded in sectors like healthcare, education, and transport, ultimately improving service delivery and efficiency.
At Smart Data Foundry, we welcome the Data (Use and Access) Act. Our work with private-sector data partners to responsibly open up de-identified financial data to the public and NGOs, as well as academic researchers, has shown the immense value this kind of data can deliver. It has the power to support evidence-based policymaking and help tackle some of society’s most pressing challenges; from poverty and inequality to broader questions of economic wellbeing.
Smart data in action
At Smart Data Foundry, we’ve already seen the transformative potential of responsibly shared data through our own tools, like the Economic Wellbeing Explorer and Economic Nowcast. These innovations demonstrate how unlocking smart data can provide real-time insights into the financial health of communities, helping policymakers, charities, and public services respond faster and more effectively to economic pressures.
As the Data (Access and Use) Act becomes law, it lays the foundation for even greater collaboration between sectors. By enabling secure, ethical access to data, we can accelerate solutions to some of society’s most urgent challenges, and drive meaningful, inclusive economic growth.
