Data Protection Conference 2026

SCL Annual Data Protection Conference – Thursday 5 February 2026

Sessions:

• Balancing Innovation and Risk: Navigating the current state of play of cross-sector data protection (DP), AI and biometrics
  While AI and biometrics offer transformative potential across all sectors, their responsible adoption depends on international collaboration, robust security, clearer regulations, and a primary focus on protecting individual privacy and human rights. Our panelists examine the current state of play of cross-sector data protections issues, including AI and biometrics. The panel will examine how to deal with transparency and public trust, navigating regulatory complexity, and addressing specific technical challenges like data security and bias.

• Case law update
  Tim Pitt Payne KC will provide a comprehensive roundup of the significant legal developments from the past 12 months.

• Data in Digital Markets: Navigating the Intersection Between Data Protection and Competition Law
  In its January 2025 position paper, the European Data Protection Board calls for deeper cooperation between data protection authorities and competition authorities to ensure consistent, effective enforcement and better protection for individuals. The paper also highlights the need for a sharper understanding of concepts used in both regimes. In the UK, the Information Commissioner’s Office and the Competition and Markets Authority have similarly recognised this convergence, issuing a joint statement on data protection and competition in digital markets and, more recently, a joint article on AI foundation models that underscores the interplay between data protection, competition and consumer law.

  This panel will explore the growing synergies between the data protection and competition frameworks, the emerging regulatory cooperation, and what this means in practice for organisations operating in digital markets.

• In discussion with the ICO and Ofcom