THE Scottish Government is refusing to participate in a data sharing project which is reportedly being used to target users in preparation for Brexit.
Watchdog body the Information Commissioner’s Office has contacted the UK Government over the collection of data after it was reported a memo had instructed departments to share data collected from its gov.uk site.
It is claimed Boris Johnson informed members of the Exit Operations Committee that the Government Digital Service should “allow targeted and personalised information to be gathered, analysed and fed back actively to support key decision-making”.
Brexit Secretary Mike Russell has now written to the head of the UK Civil Service Sir Mark Sedwill requesting the aim and purpose of the project is “fully and robustly checked”.
He said the Scottish Government had been approached to participate and share personal data relating to “users across government websites in Brexit related journeys”.
But his letter stated: “No such proposal could be considered until I have been provided with meaningful and demonstrable assurance that the data sharing complies with data protection laws, that the required safeguards are in place, and on the uses to which the data will be put.”
The UK Government previously said all activity is fully complaint with legal obligations.
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