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Data ethics

Data underpins the digital economy.

Thanks to advanced analytics and massive improvements in processing power, data can be used to optimise processes and create new products and services tailored to our needs. But this huge leap forward is not without risks. As innovators push the boundaries, so the spotlight is falling on the ethics of data use – shifting the debate from what we can do with data to what we should.

Our data ethics insights

Blogs

Harnessing Smart Data in the UK as a National Asset: What businesses need to know

On 23 October 2024 the UK government introduced the Data (Use and Access) Bill to Parliament (the DUAB). The DUAB is a wide-ranging and significant reform package with implications for all businesses…

Author(s): Giles Pratt, Rachael Annear, Tristan Lockwood, Adam Gillert, Hazel Ling

  • data
  • data protection
  • digital payment
  • e-commerce
  • energy and natural resources
  • financial institutions
  • fintech
  • gdpr
  • ico
  • innovation
  • regulatory
  • regulatory framework
  • telecommunications

AI Regulation Is Evolving Globally and Businesses Need to Keep Up

This article was first published on Bloomberg Law on 10 December 2024. Freshfields’ attorneys examine generative AI’s global impactCompanies must understand how regulators approach AI Artificial…

Author(s): Beth George, Giles Pratt, Lutz Riede

  • ai
  • data
  • eu ai act
  • global
  • regulatory
  • tech media and telecoms
  • us
  • intellectual property

UK reforms to Digital Verification laws: new opportunities for businesses

The Data (Use and Access) Bill (DUAB) proposes wide-ranging and significant reforms to the existing legislative framework around data in the UK.  One of the key proposals in the DUAB centres around…

Author(s): Adam Gillert, Claire Harrop, Cyrus Pocha, Katie Hyewon Sa, Rachael Annear, Tristan Lockwood

  • data
  • data protection
  • financial services
  • gdpr
  • ico
  • regulatory

The UK’s new approach to international data transfers: making international transfers easier?

On 23 October 2024, the UK government introduced the Data (Use and Access) Bill to Parliament (the DUAB). Our previous blog summarised the changes to the UK’s data protection framework that it will…

Author(s): Rachael Annear, Joseph Mason, Adam Gillert, Rhea Dennis

  • ai
  • data
  • data protection
  • europe
  • gdpr
  • governments and public sector
  • tech media and telecoms

Email monitoring in Italy: Are employers ready for stricter rules after the latest Italian DPA’s decision?

Introduction A recent decision by the Italian Data Protection Authority (DPA) has underscored the challenges employers face when managing employee email accounts under Italian data protection law.…

Author(s): Davide Borelli, Matteo Tola, Giovanni Fabris, Isabella Oldani

  • data protection
  • data
  • employment
  • gdpr
  • investigations

Synthetic data: a privacy panacea?

Data-driven businesses are increasingly looking toward synthetic data – ie, data that is artificially generated but may be derived from real-world datasets – as an option to unlock larger volumes of…

Author(s): Gernot Fritz, Markus Kattnig, Christine Chong, Christine Lyon

  • data
  • data protection
  • europe
  • gdpr
  • global
  • regulatory
  • us

UK announces data reforms: what businesses need to know

On 23 October 2024 the UK government introduced the Data (Use and Access) Bill to Parliament (the DUAB). The DUAB is a wide-ranging and significant reform package with implications for all businesses…

Author(s): Giles Pratt, Rachael Annear, Tristan Lockwood, Adam Gillert

  • ai
  • data
  • data protection
  • e-commerce
  • europe
  • gdpr
  • ico
  • internet of things
  • platforms
  • regulatory
  • regulatory framework
  • tech media and telecoms
  • onlinesafety

Leading the Change: 2025 Data Law Trends report

We’re excited to share our latest report, Leading the Change: 2025 Data Law Trends.  Data now impacts all aspects of businesses, from risk management and global operations to growth strategies. The…

Author(s): Christine Lyon, Giles Pratt, Christoph Werkmeister

  • ai
  • americas
  • asia-pacific
  • cyber security
  • data
  • data protection
  • e-commerce
  • eu ai act
  • eu data act
  • eu digital strategy
  • europe
  • european data spaces
  • gdpr
  • global
  • ico
  • innovation
  • internet of things
  • platforms
  • regulatory framework
  • tech media and telecoms
  • us
  • onlinesafety

EU AI Act unpacked #15: Will the AI Act remain as is? Level II legislation and Commission guidance

[You can find all episodes of our EU AI Act unpacked blog series by clicking here.] In part 15 of our EU AI Act unpacked blog series, we take a look at when and how the EU AI Act (AI Act) will…

Author(s): Verena Kirchmair, Victor Garcia Lopez, Christoph Werkmeister, Theresa Ehlen, Lutz Riede, Philipp Roos

  • ai
  • data
  • eu ai act
  • eu ai act series
  • europe

EU Commission publishes practical guide on an evolving EU digital economy

Aiming to encourage voluntary data sharing for business and citizen benefits through secure and trustworthy exchanges, the Data Governance Act (DGA) is a core part of the European data strategy. The…

Author(s): Gernot Fritz, Estella Dannhausen, Markus Kattnig

  • data
  • e-commerce
  • eu data act
  • eu data governance act
  • eu digital strategy
  • europe
  • european data spaces
  • global
  • platforms
  • regulatory
  • regulatory framework
  • tech media and telecoms

Key insights for businesses from the EU Commission’s FAQ on the EU Data Act

To aid in its implementation, the European Commission has published frequently asked questions on the EU Data Act. Check out our earlier blog post for a quick rundown of the EU Data Act.  Reflecting…

Author(s): Gernot Fritz, Estella Dannhausen

  • consumer
  • data
  • data protection
  • eu data act
  • europe
  • internet of things
  • manufacturing
  • regulatory
  • regulatory framework
  • tech media and telecoms
  • eu digital strategy

Fairness in B2B relationships in the digital world

In the ever-evolving landscape of data regulation, the EU Data Act stands as a pivotal milestone. Beyond its wide-ranging data access provisions, the Data Act introduces a comprehensive framework to…

Author(s): Gernot Fritz, Estella Dannhausen, Tanja Pfleger

  • data
  • eu data act
  • eu digital strategy
  • europe
  • global
  • innovation
  • internet of things
  • regulatory
  • retail

GDPR enforcement - new rules for cross-border investigations

The amount of fines imposed under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) reached a new high in 2023. A recently leaked proposal for a regulation laying down additional procedural rules…

Author(s): Yannick Chatard, Christoph Werkmeister

  • data
  • data protection
  • gdpr
  • investigations

When algorithms decide – New EU data rules for digital labour platforms

After intense debates among EU legislators, the EU Parliament formally adopted the ‘Directive on improving working conditions in platform work’ (the Directive) on 24 April 2024. The Directive aims to…

Author(s): Christoph Werkmeister, Laura Knoke, Philipp Roos, John-Markus Maddaloni

  • data
  • data protection
  • eu ai act
  • eu digital strategy
  • gdpr
  • innovation
  • platforms

Seoul Summit sees further developments in international governance of frontier AI

The AI Seoul Summit, co-hosted by South Korea and the UK, took place on 21-22 May 2024. The summit focused on safety, innovation and inclusivity in regard to ‘frontier AI’ - meaning highly capable…

Author(s): Theresa Ehlen, Beth George, Giles Pratt, Adam Gillert

  • ai
  • eu ai act
  • global
  • europe
  • tech media and telecoms
  • americas
  • asia-pacific
  • data

Synthetic data: The emerging hero

In our digital age, data stands as the undisputed ruler, coursing through the veins of our ever-more interconnected society. Amidst this data-driven upheaval, an unseen champion emerges, subtly but…

Author(s): Gernot Fritz, Markus Kattnig, Elisabeth Pferschy

  • data
  • data protection
  • gdpr
  • global
  • innovation
  • manufacturing
  • regulatory
  • tech media and telecoms

Data and tech: collective actions and mass claims across Europe #2 – Focus on England and Wales

Actions for non-material damages following (alleged) infringements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) are increasingly being brought before courts across Europe.  In our new blog post…

Author(s): Rachael Annear, Giles Pratt, Cat Greenwood-Smith, Rhodri Thomas, Christine Simpson, Tochukwu Egenti

  • data
  • data protection
  • europe
  • gdpr
  • litigation

Data and tech: collective actions and mass claims across Europe #1 – Focus on Germany

Actions for non-material damages following (alleged) infringements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) are increasingly being brought before courts across Europe. But legal requirements…

Author(s): Martin Mekat, Christoph Werkmeister, Sarah Hillebrand

  • data
  • data protection
  • europe
  • gdpr
  • litigation

Data and tech: collective actions and mass claims across Europe

Actions for non-material damages following (alleged) infringements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) are increasingly being brought before courts across Europe. But legal requirements…

Author(s): Giles Pratt, Christoph Werkmeister, Martin Mekat, Rachael Annear, Cat Greenwood-Smith, Rhodri Thomas, Jérôme Philippe, Mark Egeler, Satya Staes Polet, Giuseppe Curtò, Mijke Sinninghe Damsté

  • data
  • data protection
  • europe
  • gdpr
  • litigation

When GDPR and Data Act clash: what Businesses need to know

Like other parts of the EU Digital Strategy, also the Data Act reaffirms the supremacy of data protection laws, ensuring that the rights and obligations under the GDPR, being the centrepiece of EU…

Author(s): Gernot Fritz, Elisabeth Pferschy, Estella Dannhausen

  • data
  • data protection
  • eu data act
  • eu digital strategy
  • europe
  • gdpr
  • internet of things
  • manufacturing
  • regulatory
  • tech media and telecoms
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