In the recent King's Speech, the government introduced the Digital Information and Smart Data Bill (DISD), a piece of legislation with potential implications for how personal data is managed and shared, a central issue in the background checking industry. The bill aims to enable the development and deployment of innovative new uses of data, reform data sharing and standards, and ensure more robust data protection.
The bill is still in its early stages, content has not been finalised, nor has the implementation timeline. However, early signs indicate that it will have an impact on background checking providers and their customers. This article will cover two measures included in the bill which are of particular relevance to the industry: smart data schemes and digital verification services.
Digital Identities
One of the most significant aspects of the bill is the establishment of ‘digital verification services’, which will enhance the security and efficiency of identity verification by promoting the creation and adoption of secure, trusted digital identity products from certified providers. IDSPs such as Zinc have already transformed identity verification by introducing secure digital alternatives to traditional manual processes which are time-consuming, costly, data leakage prone and inflexible. The digital verification services the bill promises to introduce will further amplify these benefits. Furthermore, the DISD briefing paper indicates that the range of use cases in which digital identity verification is available, and these benefits realised, will be significantly broadened.
Zinc’s experience in the digital identity verification space means we are well-prepared to integrate these changes seamlessly into our services. And as a DIATF-certified IDSP, customers can trust that their data will remain secure with Zinc as they look to take advantage of the new services introduced by the bill. Although the bill will be accompanied by targeted data law reforms addressing digital identities, and it is unclear what resemblance these new standards will bear to the DIATF, Zinc’s expertise will remain invaluable for navigating this evolving regulatory landscape.
Smart Data Schemes
Another critical component of the bill is the implementation of Smart Data schemes, similar to the models currently used for Open Banking, which will allow customers to share their data with authorised third-party providers under a standardised and secure legal framework. This means customers will have more control over their data, enabling better service offerings and more informed decision-making, and more seamless and secure interactions for business and individuals alike. The Smart Data initiatives perfectly complement Zinc’s unique offering of reusable background checks, allowing us to leverage shared data to provide even more efficient services.
Conclusion
The DISD is set to have a far-reaching impact on how data is managed and utilised in the UK. It remains to be seen exactly what requirements and mechanisms the bill will impose to achieve the broad objectives set out in the briefing paper. Nonetheless, at Zinc, we are excited about the significant opportunities this bill presents for the future of background checking and committed to leveraging these advancements to provide our customers with the most secure, efficient, and reliable services available.
.svg){kind=icon}
%201.png)
