Data Protection and Digital Information Bill 3rd Reading

The House debated and voted on the 3rd Reading of the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill on Wednesday 29 November 2023 with the Report stage on the same day. The Bill is intended to update and simplify the UK’s data protection framework with a view to reducing burdens on organisations while maintaining high data protection standards. there were 5 votes.

The first amendment voted on was one which called for the Bill to be re-committed to a Public Bill Committee for reconsideration. I voted for the motion but this was defeated by a vote of Ayes 209 to Noes 275.

Amendment 11, ensured that special category data, such as that relating to a person’s health, is adequately protected in workplace settings. The Bill could allow employers to share an employee’s personal data within their organisation without a justifiable reason. I voted in favour of the amendment but this was defeated by a vote of Ayes 199 to Noes 274.

Amendment 5, was intended to strike a better balance by extending the safeguarding provisions to include significant decisions that are based both partly and solely on automated processing. That means greater safeguards for anybody subject to an automated decision-making process, however that decision is made. I voted in favour of the amendment but this was defeated by a vote of Ayes 195 to Noes 273.

Amendment 1 was tabled to retain a statutory definition of high-risk processing as recommended by the Information Commissioner’s Office in his response to the Bill.  I voted in favour of the amendment but this was defeated by a vote of Ayes 198 to Noes 275.

Amendment 218 removes clauses 87 and 88, which gives the Secretary of State the power to make exceptions to the privacy and electronic communications regulations direct marketing provisions on communications sent for the purposes of democratic engagement. I voted in favour of Amendment 218 but this was defeated by a vote of Ayes 194 to Noes 275.