The Data (Use and Access) Bill was introduced to Parliament on 23 October 2024. It lays out the legal framework for Digital Verification Services (DVS) in the UK, which are long-awaited tools to speed up property purchases, reduce fraud and improve the experience of home buying and selling.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has published in-depth advice for anti-money laundering (AML) regulated firms to explain the legal protections around sharing client data. The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency (ECCT) Act 2023 introduced provisions that allow businesses to tackle AML by voluntarily sharing and receiving information, however, agents have raised concerns that they may be liable for breaches of confidentiality.

As technology continues to advance, the threat of cyber-attacks becomes increasingly prevalent. Investing in robust cyber defence measures can help property agents protect their sensitive data and systems — but what proportion of an IT budget should be set aside?

The Data Protection and Digital Information Bill (DPDI) passed its Second Reading in the House of Lords on 19 December 2023 and once introduced, it will support the development of secure digital identity services which promise to speed up property purchases, reduce fraud and revolutionise the customer experience.

Although the General Data Protection Regulation has been with us since 2018, for many organisations it has remained a complex piece of legislation, difficult to navigate and something that always sits at a bottom of a to do list. With that in mind, Propertymark has partnered with Risk Evolves to give members access to free training opportunities throughout 2024.

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has published refreshed advice for agencies on how to comply with UK GDPR law after analysis of complaint data revealed a lack of understanding in the UK housing sector.

There is now a greater reliance on digital services for agents, this makes it even more important to review and invest in cybersecurity to manage the risk of potentially disruptive cyber incidents.

The National Economic Crime Centre (NECC) and partners have launched a new phase of their campaign to help homebuyers avoid Payment Diversion Fraud (PDF).

The UK Government has launched a consultation on its strategy to reshape the UK’s data protection regime, which intends to reform current regulation to aid growth, innovation and competition, re-affirming the UK as a 'hub' for data-driven business. 

Specialist insurance broker and Propertymark Industry Supplier Gallagher discuss their findings which show that businesses are experiencing an increase in cyber risks as a result of changes in the way of working.

HM Land Registry has launched its first Digital Identity Standard to make identity verification safer and more convenient for anyone buying property in England and Wales.

Any business or sole trader who processes personal information must register with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) under the Data Protection Act 2018 and failure to register is a criminal offence.

Propertymark, along with other leading residential property bodies across the UK, have published an open letter to Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and Thalia Baldwin, Director of the Geospatial Commission highlighting the potential benefits from implementing a widely adopted Unique Property Reference Number (UPRN).