Privacy law

The UK Government issued a consultation seeking views on proposals to amend the current data protection fees payable by data controllers to the Information Commissioner Office (ICO). 

• Find out more about the consultation on UK Government's website
• Read our response. 

The Scottish Biometrics Commission consulted on use of biometric data of those arrested by Police Scotland and sought views on potential data protection and privacy issues. 

• Find out more about the consultation.
• Read our response.

The Information Commissioner’s Office consultation sought views on draft Data Protection Fining Guidance.

• Find out more on the Information Commissioner’s Office website
• Read our response

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)  consultation on the draft biometric data guidance, which explains how data protection law apply when using biometric data in biometric recognition system.

• Find out more on the Information Commissioner's Office website
• Read our response

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) survey on Period tracking apps and fertility tracking apps - your views.

• Find out moreinformation on the survey
• Read our response

The UK Government launched a consultation on reforms to the UK’s data protection regime. 

• View the consultation on the UK Government's website
• Read our response

The CMA was inviting views and evidence on the harms outlined in its paper on algorithms and information on specific issues with firms that the CMA could examine and consider for future action.

• Read the consultation on the UK Parliamentary website. 
• Our response.

The European Data Protection Board issued a call for comments on the Recommendations 01/2020 on measures that supplement transfer tools to ensure compliance with the EU level of protection of personal data. This relates to the ability of companies to transfer tools outside the European Economic Area and will accordingly be of relevance to the UK as a third country from 1 January 2021.

• Read the EDPB’s call for comments on their website
• The Law Society of Scotland's joint response with the Law Society of England and Wales (December 2020)

The Information Commissioner's Office has issued a consultation on draft guidance explaining in greater detail the rights that individuals have to access their personal data and the obligations on controllers. The draft guidance also explores the special rules involving certain categories of personal data, how to deal with requests involving the personal data of others, and the exemptions that are most likely to apply in practice when handling a request.

•  View the consultation on the ICO's website
• The Law Society of Scotland's response (February 2020)

The ICO issued a draft document to provide clarity to those they regulate and the public about their chosen approach to statutory regulatory action. 

• View the draft document.
• Read our response. 
  
  

The Information Commissioner's Office has issued a consultation on the draft framework code of practice for the use of personal data in political campaigning.

• View the consultation on ICO website
• The Law Society of Scotland's response (October 2019)

The Information Commissioner's Office has issued a consultation on the draft data sharing code of practice.

• View the consultation on the ICO's website
• The Law Society of Scotland's response and additional submission 

The Scottish Parliament's Public Audit and Post-Legislative Scrutiny Committee has launched an inquiry on the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

•  View the inquiry on the Scottish Parliament's Website.
•  View the Law Society of Scotland's response (May 2019)

The UK Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights has launched an inquiry into whether new safeguards to regulate the collection, use, tracking, retention and disclosure of personal data by private companies are needed in the new digital environment to protect human rights.

• View the inquiry on the UK Parliament's website
• The Law Society of Scotland's response (February 2019)

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has issued a consultation on updating the data sharing code of practice.

• View the consultation on the ICO website
• The Law Society of Scotland's response (September 2018)

The Scottish Government has issued a consultation on a new code of practice dealing with Targeted Equipment Interference and on two revised codes of practice dealing with Covert Human Intelligence Sources and Covert Surveillance & Property Interference.

• View the consultation on the Scottish Government's website
• The Law Society of Scotland's response (September 2017)