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UK GDPR / DPA 2018
UK General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018 (as amended by the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025)
Confirmed by two sources. Last verified 10 October 2026
Next full re-check due: . Regulator news is checked monthly; changes are logged in the change log.
Cite this page: GlanceDesk Jurisdiction, “UK GDPR / DPA 2018 (United Kingdom)”, glancedeskjurisdiction.com/laws/uk-gdpr, last verified 10 October 2026.
United Kingdom Privacy
- Status
- In force since 1 Jan 2021 (retained from EU GDPR); DUAA 2025 data protection changes fully in force by 19 June 2026.✓
- Who it applies to
- Organisations processing personal data in the context of a UK establishment, and non-UK organisations offering goods/services to, or monitoring the behaviour of, people in the UK.✓
- Size thresholds
- None — applies regardless of size.✓
- Regulator
- Information Commission (replaced the Information Commissioner's Office on 30 Sep 2026; still uses the 'ICO' name)✓
- Breach or incident reporting
- Report notifiable breaches to the Information Commission without undue delay and, where feasible, within 72 hours. Tell affected individuals without undue delay if high risk. PECR breaches by telecoms providers: without undue delay and, where feasible, within 72 hours (PECR reg 5A(2), since 20 Aug 2025).✓
- Deadline to answer personal data requests
- 1 month, extendable by 2 months for complex or numerous requests. For access requests the clock pauses while you seek info needed to scope the request (Art 12A, requests from 5 Feb 2026). Searches need only be reasonable and proportionate.✓
- Data protection officer
- DPO mandatory for public authorities and where core activities involve large-scale systematic monitoring or large-scale special-category/criminal data (same tests as EU GDPR).✓
- Local representative
- Non-UK organisations with no UK establishment that target or monitor people in the UK must appoint a UK representative in writing, unless processing is occasional and low-risk or they are a public authority.✓
- Sending data abroad
- Transfers need UK adequacy regulations (data bridges), or the IDTA / UK Addendum to EU SCCs, or BCRs. Since 5 Feb 2026 the adequacy test is whether protection is 'not materially lower'; existing TRAs remain usable.✓
- Cookies and consent
- PECR: consent needed for non-essential cookies, but since 5 Feb 2026 low-risk statistical/analytics and functionality cookies can be set without consent if users get clear info and an opt-out. Ad/tracking cookies still need consent.✓
- Maximum penalty
- Up to £17.5 million or 4% of worldwide annual turnover, whichever is higher (lower tier £8.7m or 2%). PECR fines raised to the same level from 5 Feb 2026.✓
Facts marked “Being verified” are still being confirmed and are not given as answers.
What you must do✓
- Map processing and choose a lawful basis; consider the new 'recognised legitimate interests' list.
- Offer an easy (e.g. online) complaints route; acknowledge complaints within 30 days (from 19 Jun 2026).
- Answer DSARs within one month using reasonable and proportionate searches.
- Review cookie banners: drop consent only for exempt analytics/functionality cookies.
- Add safeguards (info, human review, challenge) to significant automated decisions.
- Report notifiable breaches to the ICO within 72 hours.
- Use IDTA/UK Addendum for restricted transfers outside the UK.
Recent changes
DUAA 2025 (Royal Assent 19 Jun 2025): reasonable/proportionate DSAR searches (on Royal Assent); cookie exemptions, recognised legitimate interests, ADM reform, new transfer test, PECR fines (5 Feb 2026); complaints handling (19 Jun 2026); ICO became the Information Commission (30 Sep 2026).✓
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Sources
- Primary source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2016/679/contents
- Second source: https://bratby.law/data-use-and-access-act-2025-commencement/
- Regulator: Information Commission (replaced the Information Commissioner's Office on 30 Sep 2026; still uses the 'ICO' name)
Sources used for the independent check (24)
- https://ico.org.uk/about-the-ico/what-we-do/legislation-we-cover/data-use-and-access-act-2025/the-data-use-and-access-act-2025-what-does-it-mean-for-organisations/
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/82/made
- https://www.dlapiperdataprotection.com/index.html?t=law&c=GB
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2016/679/article/3
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2016/679/article/33
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/386/body/made
- https://www.lewissilkin.com/insights/2026/09/29/what-the-icos-transformation-into-the-information-commission-means-for-your-orga-102o3ni
- https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/direct-marketing-and-privacy-and-electronic-communications/guide-to-pecr/communications-networks-and-services/security-breaches/
- https://www.osborneclarke.com/insights/regulatory-outlook-september-2025-data-law
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2025/18/section/76
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2025/18/section/142
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2016/679/article/37
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2016/679/article/27
- https://legalvision.co.uk/data-privacy-it/uk-gdpr-article-27-representatives/
- https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/international-transfers/international-transfers-a-guide/
- https://www.lewissilkin.com/insights/2026/02/09/uk-data-reform-becomes-reality-what-this-means-for-you-and-what-you-need-to-do-n-102mh5x
- https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/direct-marketing-and-privacy-and-electronic-communications/guidance-on-the-use-of-storage-and-access-technologies/what-are-the-exceptions/
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2018/12/section/157
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2025/18/section/103
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2025/18/section/80
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/2426/regulation/5A
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2016/679/contents
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2025/18/contents
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2018/12/contents
= confirmed by two independent sources, at least one official. How we verify
Information only, not legal advice. Laws change; confirm with the regulator or a qualified lawyer before relying on this page. Spotted an error? Email contact@