The UKs Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) backs a consolidated customer perspective strategy, which would enable businesses to share private consumption information to lessen potential damage. The ICO believes this method would aid businesses in accurately determining customer risk. However, the UK Gambling Commission has stated it has no plans to enforce such an approach at this time.
The ICO’s statement originates from the UK’s data protection watchdog, as part of its response to a consultation by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on the future of data policy in the UK following its departure from the European Union.
The consultation included a segment on “groundbreaking data sharing solutions.” These included systems where businesses could utilize open banking to permit businesses to share customer data in a manner similar to a unified customer view.
The consultation also inquired about intermediary entities that would be accountable for processing this shared information.
The group declared, “We back the government’s readiness to provide extra aid for groups to comprehend the dangers and guarantee suitable safeguards are implemented. We applaud efforts at novel, creative, and fitting forms of data sharing.”
The group added that this data sharing would be most effective “when it empowers individuals and has the potential to address the power disparity between those holding large datasets and those seeking to utilize them.”
However, the group also stated that greater clarity is needed on who would be accountable for data protection in this system, and more clarity to ensure that all essential data protection principles are applied.
Following the consultation response, the UK’s new gambling minister, Chris Philip, said that the Information Commissioner’s Office findings could be very significant in assisting to reduce gambling harm, and encouraged the industry to develop data-sharing solutions.
Philip stated, “We are committed to tackling problem gambling and we are undertaking a comprehensive review of our gambling laws to ensure they are appropriate for the digital age. I welcome the Information Commissioner’s Office findings that data can be shared safely and securely between operators to prevent problem gamblers from experiencing substantial losses.
“More needs to be done to prevent individuals from becoming addicted to gambling to the point where their lives are destroyed.”
This is a crucial step in safeguarding susceptible individuals, and operators must now collaborate to swiftly deliver practical solutions.
A representative from the Betting and Gaming Council, an industry association, stated: “We have examined the Information Commissioner’s Office report and will meticulously assess its conclusions. The sector has been conducting its own trials for a considerable period, and we now eagerly anticipate discussions with the Gambling Commission and the Information Commissioner’s Office.”
The Gambling Commission indicated that the findings were beneficial but that they are not currently intending to mandate a unified customer perspective.
“The publication of the Information Commissioner’s Office report provides valuable and helpful guidance on how to implement a single customer view in a manner that complies with data protection regulations,” they stated. “However, there remain certain challenges and complex matters that require resolution during the testing phase.
“At present, we do not intend to impose a specific single customer view solution – the industry needs to develop and evaluate this – but we do anticipate that the industry will demonstrate how their testing solutions address the concerns we have identified.”
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