Stage 1 of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025

Stage 1 of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 – What You Need to Know

The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 will come into effect in stages, with Stage 1 beginning on 20 August 2025. This first phase is largely focused on Government-led measures and setting the groundwork for the wider changes that will follow.

What Stage 1 Covers

Stage 1 is primarily about establishing the legal and regulatory framework before the Act’s broader provisions start to impact businesses and the public. Key elements include:

Activating technical provisions to clarify the legal framework around data use and access.
Introducing new statutory objectives for the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), shaping how it will regulate and enforce the law going forward.

Upcoming Government Publications

Alongside these legal changes, the Government will be releasing several important documents:

Impact Assessment – Outlining the expected benefits, costs, and risks associated with the Act’s implementation.
AI and Copyright Report – Examining how artificial intelligence interacts with copyright law and identifying potential challenges.
Progress Update on AI and Copyright Developments – Detailing steps taken so far, as well as future plans in this rapidly evolving area.

Why This Matters

While Stage 1 is not introducing sweeping operational requirements for organisations just yet, it’s laying the foundations for the rest of the Act.

By clarifying the legal framework and updating the ICO’s objectives, the Government is aiming to ensure a stronger, clearer, and more future-ready approach to data regulation.

Looking Ahead

Later stages of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 will have more direct implications for businesses, particularly those handling significant volumes of personal data or working with AI technologies.

Keeping up to date with the Government’s reports and guidance now will put you in a stronger position to adapt when further provisions come into force.

Our Commitment to You

We ensure all our courses, including our Data Protection and GDPR Awareness training course, are kept fully up to date with all relevant legislation. As the remaining stages of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 are rolled out, we’ll be sharing clear updates on what the changes mean for you and how they might affect your compliance obligations.

Keep an eye on our blog and social media channels for timely insights and practical guidance as more details emerge.

More Information

The Information Commissioner’s Office website 👉 https://ico.org.uk/

Our Data Protection and GDPR Awareness course 👉https://hsqe.co.uk/courses/data-protection-and-gdpr-awareness/

Make sure you are following our social media channels and sign up to our monthly newsletter to ensure you are not missing out:

LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/hsqe-limited/

Facebook 👉 https://facebook.com/hsqe.co.uk

Newsletters 👉 https://www.hsqe.co.uk/downloads/#newsletters

—

Author: Alex Nightingale