Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, section 67: scientific research includes commercial research (Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 c. 18, s 67 (new UK GDPR Art 4(2)-(3)))
The UK now defines scientific research to include commercial and privately funded work, and includes technological development so far as it can reasonably be described as scientific. Whether training a commercial AI model fits is untested, and the research route carries conditions in Article 84B.
Dated 18 Oct 2026Source checked 18 Oct 2026Basis: primary text
In the source's own words
“References in this Regulation to the processing of personal data for the purposes of scientific research (including references to processing for "scientific research purposes") are references to processing for the purposes of any research that can reasonably be described as scientific, whether publicly or privately funded and whether carried out as a commercial or non-commercial activity. ... include processing for the purposes of technological development or demonstration, fundamental research or applied research, so far as those activities can reasonably be described as scientific”
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