The ICO says that the MOU “builds on the existing strong relationship between ICO and OPC, recognising their shared common mission to uphold people’s information rights, while supporting digital innovation and economic development”.

The ICO says that cooperation between international data protection authorities is essential in our times of global data-driven business, and this MOU builds on the strong collaboration the two authorities already enjoy as active members of the Global Privacy Assembly, which the ICO currently chairs. The MOU comes soon after New Zealand’s new privacy law has come into force, and at a time of increasing trade between the UK and New Zealand.

The MOU codifies and sets out how the authorities will: (i) continue to share experiences and best practice; (ii) cooperate in specific projects of interest; and (iii) share information or intelligence to support their enforcement work.

Elizabeth Denham, UK Information Commissioner, said: “I’m pleased the MOU formalises our collaborative efforts. The ICO and the OPC face common challenges in regulating our increasingly digital world. The OPC is a fitting and natural partner for the ICO in finding impactful pragmatic solutions.” To read the ICO’s press release in full and for a link to the MOU, click here.