Skip to content
Law Society of Scotland
Search
Find a Solicitor
Contact us
About us
Sign in
Search
Find a Solicitor
Contact us
About us
Sign in
  • For members

    • For members

    • CPD & Training

    • Membership and fees

    • Rules and guidance

    • Regulation and compliance

    • Journal

    • Business support

    • Career growth

    • Member benefits

    • Professional support

    • Lawscot Wellbeing

    • Lawscot Sustainability

  • News and events

    • News and events

    • Law Society news

    • Blogs & opinions

    • CPD & Training

    • Events

  • Qualifying and education

    • Qualifying and education

    • Qualifying as a Scottish solicitor

    • Career support and advice

    • Our work with schools

    • Lawscot Foundation

    • Funding your education

    • Social mobility

  • Research and policy

    • Research and policy

    • Research

    • Influencing the law and policy

    • Equality and diversity

    • Our international work

    • Legal Services Review

    • Meet the Policy team

  • For the public

    • For the public

    • What solicitors can do for you

    • Making a complaint

    • Client protection

    • Find a Solicitor

    • Frequently asked questions

    • Your Scottish solicitor

  • About us

    • About us

    • Contact us

    • Who we are

    • Our strategy, reports and plans

    • Help and advice

    • Our standards

    • Work with us

    • Our logo and branding

    • Equality and diversity

  1. Home
  2. News and events
  3. Legal news
  4. Businesses not ready for GDPR, survey reveals

Businesses not ready for GDPR, survey reveals

25th May 2017 | information technology

Many businesses will not be ready for far-reaching data protection rules that come into force one year from today (25 May), according to a new survey.

Marketing trade association the DMA claims that nearly half of UK businesses do not expect to be ready for the General Data Protection Regulation, and a further quarter have yet even to start a GDPR plan.

The EU regulation, which will come directly into force in the UK before Brexit takes effect, will replace the Data Protection Act and restate the existing data protection principles. It widens the list of rights that a data subject can exercise, and introduces a "right to be forgotten". Data controllers will have to keep records of data they process, and will have to report data breaches. Fines for breaching the rules will be substantially increased.

Just over half (54%) of businesses say they are on course or ahead of their plans to be ready for GDPR by 26 May 2018, down from 68% in February, with a further quarter of companies (24%) yet to even start a GDPR plan.

In addition, specific GDPR guidance for business, released by the Information Commissioner's Office and others, may have caused more concern than assistance. The DMA’s CEO, Chris Combemale said the guidance had the potential to penalise organisations that took action, perhaps in consultation with the ICO, at an earlier date.

"Recent announcements and guidance from the ICO have caused much concern, that the interpretation of the laws is overly strict, penalising the companies most committed to best practice, honesty and transparency", he commented. "What the industry needs is balanced and fair guidance from the ICO and Article 28 Working Party. With just 12 months to prepare we need this guidance urgently if we’re expected to be ready in time.”

He added: “As Britain’s role in the world changes, we must look at a global approach to free trade with free movement of data at its heart and the UK at the centre. Britain, as the leading digital economy, is well placed to be this global centre of innovation, skills and competencies driving global economic growth. But we need clear guidance from regulators or risk the consequences come 26 May 2018.”

Click here for an article describing the GDPR.

 

Add To Favorites
Law Society of Scotland
Atria One, 144 Morrison Street
Edinburgh
EH3 8EX
If you’re looking for a solicitor, visit FindaSolicitor.scot
T: +44(0) 131 226 7411
E: lawscot@lawscot.org.uk
About us
  • Contact us
  • Who we are
  • Strategy reports plans
  • Help and advice
  • Our standards
  • Work with us
Useful links
  • Find a Solicitor
  • Sign in
  • CPD & Training
  • Rules and guidance
  • Website terms and conditions
Law Society of Scotland | © 2025
Made by Gecko Agency Limited