Britain aims for 'adequacy' deal with EU on data protection: government paper

[August 24, 2017]  LONDON (Reuters) - Britain said on Thursday it wanted to continue to cooperate closely with the European Union on data protection after it leaves the bloc and proposed using an "adequacy" agreement to ensure the free flow of information.

A lock icon, signifying an encrypted Internet connection, is seen on an Internet Explorer browser in a photo illustration in Paris April 15, 2014. REUTERS/Mal Langsdon

In the latest in series of papers outlining some of Britain's aims in Brexit negotiations, the government said Britain had played an important role in setting EU rules on data protection, and it would leave the bloc with regulations aligned.

It said new regulations, which will be in force by the time Britain leaves, could be the foundation for a deal based on the existing adequacy model that the bloc has whereby the European Commission recognizes the levels of protection provided by third party countries.

(Reporting by Paul Sandle, editing by Elizabeth Piper)

[© 2017 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2017 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.