United Kingdom: Announced Digital Information and Smart Data Bill including new uses of data

On 17 July 2024, the Digital Information and Smart Data Bill was announced in the King's Speech. The Government explained that the Bill would, among other things, enable new innovative uses of data to be safely developed and deployed. These new uses would include the establishment of Digital Verification Services, the development of a National Underground Asset Register, and the setting up of Smart Data Schemes. Additionally, under the new Bill, scientists would be able to ask for broad consent for areas of scientific research and allow legitimate researchers conducting scientific research in commercial settings to make equal use of our data regime.