BIS seeks powers to force customer data sharing, praises energy for ‘blazing the trail’

The government wants to take powers that will allow it to force companies to provide data to consumers via its "Midata" initiative.

Midata aims to give consumers easy access to transaction data held about them by companies and organisations, so that consumers are able to use it to get better deals and take action if they have been badly treated. Customers would be able to see the data collected in sectors including banking, internet transactions, and via high street loyalty cards.

The government highlights the energy sector as one that has “blazed the trail” on providing such data access, but said it “believes that the significant advantages on offer for consumers and the economy mean that faster progress to achieve Midata’s vision is crucial”. It wants to take powers that would “give new rights to consumers to access their personal transaction data in an electronic, portable and machine-readable format.”

Opening a consultation on the proposal, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), which is leading the initiative, highlighted the energy sector as one where there were “encouraging developments”. It said many suppliers already give customers electronic access to their transaction data and others will follow soon.

See our discussion on data sharing issues here.