In recent years, the regulatory landscape surrounding data privacy and protection has become more complex, especially in Europe and the UK. With a growing number of regulations, businesses are facing the need to build a robust approach to accountability. This means taking responsibility for how data is collected, managed, and used, and ensuring that privacy is a core consideration in every process.

Over the last seven years, there has been a notable increase in the complexity of these requirements, forcing organisations to employ specialists or even entire teams to stay compliant. Regulations such as the AI Act, the Digital Services Act, the Data Governance Act (DORA), and NIS2 are all contributing to this complexity. While these regulations may seem overwhelming, they ultimately promote greater accountability and responsibility, both of which are beneficial for businesses and individuals alike.

The Growing Need for Specialists

As regulations continue to evolve, organisations are finding it necessary to bring in experts to manage compliance. The AI Act, for instance, introduces specific requirements for transparency in AI systems and calls for bias to be addressed in algorithms and large language models. This means that businesses must ensure they have the right skills and knowledge to meet these demands, often requiring specialist intervention.

Furthermore, the Digital Services Act and similar legislation demand careful management of data usage, meaning more comprehensive oversight is needed. This is not just a trend that affects tech companies, but one that will increasingly impact organisations across various sectors. The complexity of these regulations is only going to increase, making it critical for businesses to prepare now by investing in data protection and compliance expertise.

UK Data Protection Reform

In the UK, there have been efforts to reform the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) through the UK Data Protection Reform Bill. However, this bill has stalled, leaving its future uncertain under the new Labour government. The reform had proposed reducing the need for a dedicated Data Protection Officer (DPO), suggesting instead that a senior responsible individual could manage data protection obligations.

While some may view this as a step towards simplifying data governance, it raises concerns about independence and objectivity in decision-making. Having an independent DPO ensures that risk assessments, especially around data transfers and AI applications, are handled with the appropriate level of scrutiny. As the UK government rethinks its approach to GDPR, many experts believe maintaining accountability through dedicated roles like the DPO is essential.

Conclusion

With the growing complexity of data regulations, accountability has never been more important. Organisations must continue to invest in specialist knowledge and ensure that they are not only compliant with current regulations but also prepared for future developments. Accountability promotes trust, which is critical in today's data-driven world.