United Kingdom: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology opened consultation on Smart Data opportunities in digital markets

On 28 July 2025, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) opened a public consultation on whether to introduce a Smart Data scheme in digital markets, following the powers granted under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, until 15 September 2025. Smart Data involves the secure sharing of consumer or business data with authorised third parties (ATPs) at the request of the customer, enabling new services that can improve outcomes for users and stimulate competition and innovation. The DSIT explores whether there is a need for such a scheme in digital markets, what use cases and types of data would be relevant, and how a scheme could be designed and implemented. The DSIT invites feedback on the feasibility, potential benefits and costs, risks, and wider impacts of such a scheme, including on innovation, competition, customer protection, and economic growth. The DSIT noted that while better data access could promote competition and innovation, the scheme must avoid unintended consequences such as excluding vulnerable users or undermining business models reliant on data.