The Government of Jersey has re-confirmed its commitment to meeting international standards for data protection, following publication of the UK government’s Brexit policy paper, The exchange and protection of personal data.
Jersey’s data protection regime currently has a third country ‘adequacy’ decision from the EU, meaning it is deemed to provide equivalent standards of protection for personal data to the EU’s.
The Government of Jersey is working to ensure adequacy is maintained under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and new Law Enforcement Directive when they become enforceable next year, to ensure the continued free flow of data to and from the island.
As the UK considers its own options for maintaining the free flow of data between the UK and EU, it is vital for Jersey to ensure it is aligned with both parties and avoid the creation of barriers to the transfer of data.
A spokesperson for the Chief Minister’s Department said: “It will be very important post-Brexit that data can continue to flow freely between the Jersey and the UK, as well as Europe, and we have been working closely with the UK government and the EU to that end.
“We are committed to meeting high international standards for the protection of personal data, not only to protect people living and working in Jersey, but also to ensure that the island’s financial services and digital sectors are well placed to benefit from the many opportunities that will come from being able to use and share data in the future.”
Communications is one of the priority workstreams established by the Government of Jersey to prepare for Brexit, and the government has welcomed the commitment by the UK within the policy paper to work with the Crown Dependencies on the details of UK proposals that will affect the island’s interests.