Last month, the UK published its national data strategy. Oliver Dowden, the digital secretary, wrote that under the UK’s strategy, “Data and data use are seen as opportunities to be embraced, rather than threats against which to be guarded.” No one doubts there are welcome opportunities in data, but to overly focus on the potential benefits of data and neglect the threats that the collection and use of personal data entail would be unwise.
Countries with poor data protection laws typically fall into two categories: underdeveloped or authoritarian. Given its hard-won reputation of being on the side of progress and anti-authoritarianism, it would be unfortunate if the UK was associated with either of those. But there is a third possibility when it comes to bad data practices that is just as unpalatable. The UK could develop into a data haven, in the way some countries are tax havens.
Read the full article at The Guardian