Showing Posts In "United Kingdom" Category
Personnel Checks Buys Manchester Screening Firm
Personnel Checks, a UK background-screening provider based in Blackburn, has acquired Manchester screening firm Know Your Candidate in a six-figure deal. The acquisition adds roughly 2,000 SME clients to Personnel Checks’ customer base and strengthens its ability to deliver compliance and vetting services to UK employers. KYC will continue operating as a standalone brand while […]
Employers Review Drug and Alcohol Testing in Response to UK’s Road Safety Strategy
The UK government’s new Road Safety Strategy has prompted employers to reassess workplace drug and alcohol policies, especially for staff who drive or perform safety-critical work, because work-related driving is linked to a significant portion of road fatalities. While the strategy doesn’t create new legal duties, employers must ensure risk assessments and impairment controls are […]
Key Provisions of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 are Now in Force – What’s Coming Next?
The UK’s Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 brought several major data-protection reforms into force on February 5, 2026, affecting employers and organizations. Key changes include a new lawful basis of recognized legitimate interests, codified subject-access request rules, relaxed automated decision-making limits for certain data, adjusted international transfer tests, and expanded regulator powers. A new […]
CPE Warns Pharmacies Against Scam Emails for GDPR Violations
Community Pharmacy England (CPE) has warned pharmacy owners and staff about an increase in scam emails falsely claiming the recipient is under GDPR or data‑protection investigation. The phishing messages often come from free webmail accounts and may threaten enforcement action to trick recipients. Pharmacies are advised not to open attachments or click links, delete suspicious […]
UK: Commencement of the Data Protection Provisions in the Data (Use and Access) Act
On February 5, 2026, the UK brought the main data protection changes in Part 5 of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (DUAA) into force, updating the UK’s data protection and e-privacy framework. Key reforms include a statutory definition of scientific research, recognized legitimate interests as a lawful basis for processing, changes to automated […]
UK’s Data Use and Access Act (2025) Data Protection Provisions Come into Force
The UK’s Data Use and Access Act 2025 (DUAA) began implementing key data-protection reforms on February 5, 2026, modernizing parts of the UK GDPR and Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations. Changes include new protections for children’s data, a legal basis for “recognized legitimate interests,” updated data access request rules, expanded automated decision-making provisions with safeguards, […]
EU Extends UK Data Adequacy Decision Until 2031
The European Union has renewed its data adequacy decision with the United Kingdom, allowing personal data to continue flowing freely and safely between the EU and the UK until 27 December 2031. This renewal confirms that the UK’s data protection framework remains essentially equivalent to EU standards under the GDPR and Law Enforcement Directive, offering […]
UK Government and Information Commissioner’s Office Sign Agreement to Firm-Up Data Protection
The UK government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) to set clear standards for protecting citizen data as digital public services expand. The 17-point agreement commits both parties to foster public trust, providing guidance, and enhancing accountability for data use. The government will issue annual assurance reports, improve […]
Data Protection Predictions for 2026
Data protection laws in the UK will continue evolving in 2026, though major reform remains unlikely despite debate over the Digital Omnibus proposals. Individuals may increasingly pursue rights through courts rather than regulatory enforcement, as the UK Information Commissioner’s Office has shown restraint. Ongoing discussions about AI’s impact on personal data will dominate, with organizations […]
Business Secretary Warned He Faces Prosecution if He Repeats False CV Claims
Jonathan Reynolds has been warned that he faces prosecution if he repeats previous false claims that he worked as a solicitor. The business secretary was told by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) that he could be prosecuted if he claims again to have been a solicitor, despite never qualifying. The SRA launched an investigation into […]
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTERS
The Global Background Screener
The Background Buzz!
(U.S. Background Screening
E-Magazine)