SMEs support GDPR reforms, says DMA

In its report Data Horizons, 66% wanted to see the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) updated, with 74% believing the processing of personal data was crucial to the growth and success of their business.

The findings come as the Data Protection and Digital Information (DPDI) Bill progresses through the House of Commons, with the aim of reforming GDPR.

The DMA found that 48% of SMEs had concerns that GDPR introduced unnecessary bureaucracy, while 37% said the regulations do not work for small businesses.

In addition, 43% of SMEs felt their business marketing operations had been stunted by GDPR and 31% felt the regulations had led to the company removing large parts of their customer database.

The DMA said 75% of SMEs wanted data protection regulations that help them to prospect for new business, while 76% desired regulations that make it easier to talk to their current customers.

The findings are based on research carried out by Censuswide in June and July 2023 via a nationally representative online survey of 1,002 people and 1010 SME decision makers.

Chris Combemale, chief executive at the DMA, said: “Reforms within the DPDI Bill will create a better balance between innovation and privacy, maintaining GDPR’s high levels of data protection while enabling scientific and technological innovation that will power the future economy.

“There is strong support for these opportunities across the UK’s SME community, so we would urge the UK parliament to complete passage without hesitation.”