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<p>The sale of wearable GPS tracking devices, including where they are sold to assist
with the care of dementia patients, is subject to UK consumer protection legislation.
This legislation includes the Consumer Rights Act 2015 under which all goods and services
must be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, all
personal data collected by GPS devices is subject to the EU General Data Protection
Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 which is regulated by the Information
Commissioner's Office (ICO). This legislation provides that any data collected must
be processed transparently, fairly and for legitimate purposes. Companies developing
new technologies which are likely to result in a risk to the rights and freedoms of
data subjects are also required to complete a Data Protection Impact Assessment before
the processing begins. In these instances, the company will be required to consult
the ICO if their assessment indicates the processing would result in a high risk in
the absence of any mitigating actions.</p><p> </p><p>As GPS tracking is used for a
wide range of applications, there are also some cases where other regulations may
apply. For example, Section B of the Bail Act 1997 includes provisions in respect
of electronic monitoring of people on bail.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is committed
to supporting the responsible use of technology to improve people's lives, including
supporting its use to help vulnerable people like dementia patients. The Medical Research
Council, the Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer's Research UK are jointly investing
£290 million in the UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London which
looks at technology solutions that can assist people with dementia in their homes.
Our Industrial Strategy also includes the Ageing Society Grand Challenge through which
the Government will invest in the further development of technologies like Artificial
Intelligence and the Internet of Things with the aim that people can enjoy at least
five extra healthy independent years of life by 2035.</p><p> </p><p>The Government
also recognises the importance of ensuring that regulation is able to keep pace as
technology advances. On 11th June, we published our White Paper on Regulation for
the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The White Paper confirmed that the Government will
establish a Regulatory Horizons Council to identify the implications of technological
innovation and advise the government on regulatory reform needed to support its safe
introduction.</p><p> </p>
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