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ARTICLE · 29 JUNE 2021

When Competition Law And Data Protection Overlap - Joint Statement From The UK CMA And ICO

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Whilst the respective objectives of competition law and data protection are often characterized as being in opposition, the Joint Statement begins with a focus on their synergies.

United KingdomAntitrust/Competition Law
Ariane Le Strat
Ariane Le Strat
Saskia King
Saskia King
Elizabeth Upton
Elizabeth Upton
Gabriel Voisin
Gabriel Voisin
Alexander Grigg
Alexander Grigg
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The well-known (and somewhat over simplistic) paradox that data protection laws aim to keep personal data contained whilst competition law wants personal data to be more freely available is the premise behind the two UK regulators' latest collaboration. In the last two years, the UK Data Protection Authority aka Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) have developed a close working relationship. The latest example of which is the Joint Statement on how competition and data protection issues overlap in the digital economy published on 19 May 2021. The full statement is available here. The Joint Statement sets out how the two authorities can work together and develop new strategies to tackle the complex relationship in an economy increasingly relying on data as economic fuel, it being an 'essential input'.

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