The Open Rights Group, a digital campaign group with 20,000 members, has criticised the British government’s new Data Reform Bill, saying it will “endanger consumers” and make it easier for businesses to “spy” on people through their computers.
The Data Reform Bill, announced in the Queen’s Speech, would replace pop-up cookie alerts on websites with an opt-out system allowing users to cover all data permissions in their web browser settings, removing the need to consent every time a user visits a new website.
It would also increase fines for nuisance calls, texts, and other data breaches.
Unveiling the details on Friday, Digital Secretary Nadine Dorries said: “Today is an important step in cementing post-Brexit Britain’s position as a science and tech superpower. Our new Data Reform Bill will make it easier for businesses and researchers to unlock the power of data to grow the economy and improve society, but retains our global gold standard for data protection.”…