Sites to remove your data under tough new UK laws

You’ll

soon be able to ask Google, Facebook and other websites to erase your personal data under new laws.

The proposals, part of the new Data Protection Bill, will also ban pre-ticked boxes that grant websites legal permission to gather your personal information – and sometimes sell it to other companies. This should make it much easier for you to know when websites are asking for your data, and for what purpose.

Furthermore, when websites want to use your personal data, they will have to obtain your “explicit” consent. It will be much more straightforward (and free) to ask websites to reveal what information they hold on you. The definition of personal data will be extended to include IP addresses, DNA and cookies.

The Government said these new rules are urgently needed because research has shown that “more than 80 per cent of people feel that they do not have complete control over their data online”.

Digital Minister Matt Hancock said the bill “will give us one of the most robust, yet dynamic, set of data laws in the world”.

One reason it’s required is to make UK law compliant with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation, which aims to harmonise citizens’ rights across the EU. It will come into force on 25 May 2018.

Companies breaking the law could be fined up to £17m, or four per cent of global turnover – a huge increase on the current maximum fine of £500,000.

The measures are tougher than plans announced by Theresa May during the General Election campaign,

which proposed giving adults the right to force websites to remove posts from their childhood.

The bill, announced in the Queen’s Speech in July, will move through the Houses of Parliament when MPS return in September.

65.6% Ross, Skye and Lochaber, Scotland 63.7% Na h-eileanan an Iar, Scotland 61.7% Argyll and Bute, Scotland 61.7% Orkney and Shetland, Scotland 58.2% Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, Wales