Digital trade allows businesses to trade goods remotely to a wider consumer base. It encompasses digitally ordered transactions and digitally delivered services including activities such as the distribution of films and TV. In 2019, the UK’s remotely delivered trade was worth a staggering £326 billion - equating to around one quarter of Britain’s total trade in that year.
The data protection landscape for businesses and public authorities changed beyond recognition on 25 May 2018 when the GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 came into force. It seems remarkable that nearly two and a half years have passed. At the time, no-one could have predicted that for the majority of UK businesses, working from home with customer and client data would become the norm.
From next week, Scottish pubs and restaurants will be required to collect contact details of customers. The move comes in response to an increase in Covid infection rates seen in Scotland over the past weeks. Unlike collection of these details to date, which has been carried out on a voluntary basis, it will become a statutory requirement for businesses to collect contact details and, as such, personal data.