UK firms warned to implement new data protection complaints handling processes
Published: 19/05/2026
| ICO
The Information Commissioner's Office has issued a reminder that under new rules introduced by the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (DUA Act), UK businesses have one month to establish a data protection complaints process before new legal requirements take effect on 19 June 2026.
With four weeks remaining, the ICO is warning all businesses, particularly smaller businesses, to follow its formal guidance and implement the necessary process.
Under the new rules, organisations must provide individuals with a clear method to submit a data protection complaint and acknowledge receipt of such complaints within 30 days. They must also investigate any issues raised without undue delay, ensure complainants are kept informed throughout the process, and formally notify them of the final outcome.
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