Four months to go before new consumer data protection law

Monday 29 January 2018

The Office of the Information Commissioner is urging people to get to know their rights over how their data is handled when new laws come into force in less than four months.

Under the new rules, business will have to provide individuals with more information when it comes to personal data handling – including stronger rules around how businesses ensure individuals have consented to the use of such information.

Deputy Information Commissioner Paul Vane said: "Jersey’s new Data Protection laws come into force on 25 May 2018, the same day as the new European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). They extend the rights of individuals, giving them more control over what happens to their personal information.

"With European Data Protection Day, it’s the perfect time to highlight these new laws that will benefit consumers. As well as long-standing rights of access to, and correction of personal information in specific cases, the new laws allow for the erasure of personal information in some circumstances, and the right to data portability."

Pictured: The Office of the Information Commissioner has produced an infrographic to explain consumers' rights.

GDPR, which also aims to harmonise compliance regulations for business, will be the biggest change to data protection across Europe in more than 20 years. More guidance for individuals and business will be added to the Commissioner’s website over the coming months.