The ICO exists to empower you through information.

In an increasingly digital world, the responsible use of personal data is an issue which transcends national borders. As such, to effectively protect the UK public’s personal information in this digital global environment, the ICO cooperates and acts internationally, and recognises the need to be agile in an ever-changing world.

The International Regulatory Cooperation Directorate is responsible for promoting the ICO’s information rights policy internationally and developing and maintaining relationships with other organisations in support of this and our enforcement agenda. The International Team plays an important role in influencing both national and international stakeholders in line with ICO25 objectives, and deals with some of the most high profile data protection and privacy issues in society, from compliance matters of strategic importance to major public policy initiatives.

We lead and influence work on the interoperability of global data protection regimes by working in organisations such as the Global Privacy Assembly. We also support key UK Government policy aims on international data flows and data protection agreements. This includes how data and data protection are considered in new bi- and multilateral trade agreements. We also advise the UK government in intergovernmental fora such as the OECD and the Council of Europe.
The Department is forward looking, analysing information, taking account of latest technological developments and does research and policy development in key information rights areas that have a global reach.’

If you are looking for guidance on how to make an international transfer, please consult the relevant part of either our Guide to the UK GDPR or our Guide to Law Enforcement Processing.