Singapore: Signed UK-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement containing data protection measures

On 25 February 2022, the United Kingdom and Singapore signed the Digital Economy Agreement (DEA). The Agreement updates the trade rules on goods and services between the nations. The key elements of the DEA are the removal of barriers to enable cross-border data flows, commitments for personal data protection and data security, and the creation of a new partnership to develop stronger cybersecurity defences against attacks from private entities and states. Particularly, the two countries commit to maintaining a legal framework that protects personal information through principles such as the limitation of data collection and use; the specification of purposes for data collection; and the possibility for natural persons to pursue remedies.