DSIT launches data intermediaries consultation

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has launched a consultation into data intermediaries to address power imbalances between individuals and data controllers. Currently, organisations hold and derive the primary value from the vast volumes of personal data generated by everyday activities, while data subjects experience limited benefits and under-utilise their rights.

Data intermediaries function as third parties that empower individuals to securely manage, access, and share personal data on their own terms. The government claims that the nascent sector has the potential to stimulate market competition, drive economic growth, and scientific research.

A previous call for evidence identified three interconnected barriers limiting the growth of the sector: legal ambiguities, a lack of confidence among data controllers regarding transferring data to third parties, and low public awareness of intermediaries. The newly launched consultation seeks views on potential measures to overcome these hurdles, improve data portability, and accelerate market growth while ensuring safety, trust, and informed user consent remain foundational to the process.

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