Specialist lawyers are encouraging businesses to use this Data Privacy Week as a timely reminder that effective data protection must remain a strategic priority for organisations of all sizes.
Data Privacy Week is taking place on 26-30 January 2026 and highlights the importance of safeguarding personal data and reinforcing privacy rights and responsibilities for both individuals and organisations.
In the UK, the week comes at a critical point for organisations navigating an evolving data protection landscape. While the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 remain the foundation of the regime, recent legislative changes are reshaping how personal data can be used and regulated. The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, which received Royal Assent in June 2025, introduces significant updates affecting lawful bases for processing, electronic marketing, automated decision-making and complaints handling, with further provisions due to come into force on a phased basis throughout 2026.
Declan Goodwin, partner at national law firm Clarke Willmott LLP, said: “This week is a really good prompt for businesses to reassess their approach to compliance and risk management.
“Data protection is no longer just about having the right documents in place. Organisations should be actively reviewing how personal data flows through their business, whether they are maximising the opportunities available from the correct use of personal data, ensuring their governance frameworks reflect current law, and whether staff understand their responsibilities in practice.”
Declan explains that key priorities for businesses include ensuring that records of processing activities are accurate and up to date, reviewing contracts with suppliers and other third parties to confirm that data protection obligations are clear and enforceable, and updating privacy notices so they genuinely reflect how data is collected, used and shared. Organisations should also be confident that they can respond to data subject rights requests, such as subject access requests, within statutory deadlines.
A proactive, risk-based approach is increasingly essential.
“Regulators expect organisations to anticipate and manage privacy risks, not just react to problems when something goes wrong,” said Declan. “That means carrying out data protection impact assessments for higher-risk processing, training staff on secure data handling, and regularly testing breach response plans so that notification obligations can be met quickly if an incident occurs.”
The Information Commissioner’s Office continues to support organisations through guidance, tools and training, including free data protection resources for small businesses and updated guidance on international data transfers. Draft guidance on storage and access technologies, such as cookies and similar tracking tools, is also out for consultation, reflecting broader changes introduced by the Data (Use and Access) Act and the regulator’s evolving approach to the digital environment.
At the same time, enforcement activity remains a reality. Over the past year, the ICO has issued a range of fines, reprimands and enforcement notices under the UK GDPR and related legislation, underlining the financial and reputational consequences of weak security and governance.
Declan continued: “Recent enforcement action shows that the ICO is prepared to act where organisations fall short, whether that involves large-scale cyber incidents or more routine compliance failures. Strong data protection practices are a business necessity, not a nice-to-have.”
As more provisions of the Data (Use and Access) Act come into force through 2026, businesses are being encouraged to plan ahead and monitor regulatory guidance closely. For many organisations, Data Privacy Week offers an opportunity to move beyond minimum compliance and position privacy as a source of competitive advantage.
“Businesses that embed privacy into their culture and decision-making don’t just reduce regulatory risk. They build trust with customers, support responsible innovation and strengthen long-term resilience,” said Declan.
Speak to our experts
Clarke Willmott LLP advises organisations across sectors on data protection compliance, risk management and regulatory change. Businesses seeking support in reviewing their data protection frameworks or understanding the impact of recent and upcoming legal developments are encouraged to get in touch.
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