Kennedys – Just go with the flow? Data flows in a post-Brexit world

Author - Various

As 2020 was finally drawing to an end, many of us wondered whether the much talked about ‘no-deal’ Brexit would become a reality after many failed negotiations between the UK and EU. With just days before the completion deadline, it was announced on 24 December that an agreement had finally been reached between the parties (some might say it was a Christmas miracle!). Known as the Trade and Co-operation Agreement, implemented by the European Union (Future Relationship) Act 2020, the instrument sets out the new arrangements to commence on 1 January 2021 upon expiry of the Brexit transition period at 11pm on 31 December 2020. The management and handling of data flows from the EU and EEA states (Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) into the UK is one of many issues dealt with by the agreement and one which many UK SMEs have eagerly been awaiting a definitive decision on.