The Manx government insists it is taking steps to ensure full compatibility with new EU rules on data protection.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into force on May 25 this year.

It aims to bring data protection legislation in line with new, previously unforeseen ways personal data is now used and shared.

The measures are designed to give people greater control over how their personal data is used and provide EU businesses with a consistent legal environment in which to operate.

A conference aimed at preparing Manx businesses and organisations ahead of the introduction of GDPR took place yesterday (Wednesday) at the Palace Hotel in Douglas. The event featured a range of speakers including Information Commissioner Iain McDonald and Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas.

Government is reviewing and revising the island’s Data Protection law to ensure full compliance with GDPR.

The Isle of Man is not a member of the EU.

But for member states to legally transfer data to a country which is outside the EU, such as the Isle of Man, that country must have data protection legislation that is sufficiently similar to the EU law.

Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas MHK said: ’Updating the island’s laws in line with the EU will benefit ourselves as residents, in terms of greater rights and control, and also allow businesses to continue to transfer personal data to and from the EU without any hindrance or additional cost.

’The proposed changes are also designed to create more robust enforcement standards and we encourage people to provide feedback via the consultations hub.’

The revised Manx Data Protection law will require organisations to simplify the withdrawal of consent for the use of personal data.

It will allow individuals to request their personal data held by companies to be erased or rectified.

And it will enable processing of sensitive personal data but will require ’explicit’ consent to enable this processing.