Is Your Business Ready for the June 2026 ICO Data Protection Complaint Rules?

At a Glance

The UK’s Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 introduces new complaint-handling rules from June 2026, requiring organisations to implement formal, transparent processes for managing data protection concerns. Businesses must provide accessible complaint channels, respond within set timelines, maintain records, and comply with the UK GDPR. They must make proactive preparation essential for compliance, risk reduction, and maintaining trust. Learn how your business can prepare before the deadline with Redpalm’s support. Contact us today.

Evolving UK Data Protection Law

The growing data threats warrant changes to how your business and personal data are protected. The UK data protection law is changing to keep pace with the level of protection for data risks. One of the most significant changes introduced is the new compliant handling procedures under the Data (Use and Access Act) 2025 (DUAA).

Under this new regulation, all organisations that process personal data must implement a formal internal process for handling data protection complaints. Even if your business handles complaints informally, you now need structured complaint-handling processes. Non-compliance with the ICO data protection regulations can invite scrutiny from regulatory bodies and lead to operational and reputational risks.

What Are the June 2026 Data Protection Complaint Rule Changes?

On February 5, 2026, most of the country’s long-awaited data protection reforms came into force under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025. Under the new changes, from June 19, 2026, businesses must provide individuals with a clear and accessible way to raise concerns about how their personal data is handled. These changes are coming into force alongside the reforms to the UK’s data protection framework, overseen by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

The changes will require businesses to:

• Offer a clear method for submitting complaints
• Acknowledge complaints within 30 days
• Investigate complaints thoroughly and respond without delay
• Communicate outcomes clearly to the individual

The ICO data protection complaint rules allow complaints about any aspect of data processing, not just breaches. Individuals can also raise concerns about the sharing or storing of personal data, data subject access requests (DSARs), data accuracy or retention, and lawful processing of data.

These changes have been introduced to encourage organisations to resolve concerns internally before raising them to the regulatory body.

Why These Changes Matter for UK Businesses

The new ICO data protection complaint rules change the way how data protection complaints are handled in the UK. Here’s what it means for your business:

More Accountability at Organisation-Level

The new ICO complaints procedure expects organisations to act as the first point of contact for complaints, rather than relying on individuals to escalate concerns externally. Your organisation must handle complaints through a structured, transparent and responsive process.

Resign or Formalise Existing Complaint Processes

Many SMEs will need to formalise or redesign their existing complaint handling processes to align with the new ICO data protection complaint rules.

You may have to create dedicated workflows for data-related complaints, assign clear ownership across teams, and update internal policies and documentation accordingly.

Keeping Regulatory Risk in Check

The ICO may use complaint trends to identify organisations that require further investigation. Handling complaints poorly can increase the chances of audits and enforcement action. It’s best to be prepared with an IT audit and health check. Email us info@redpalm.co.uk to learn more.

Impact on Reputation and Trust

How your organisation handles complaints can directly affect customer and stakeholder trust. A clear, responsive process strengthens trust, while poor handling can affect reputation.

Key Compliance Requirements You Need to Prepare For

To meet the June 2026 deadline, your business needs to ensure the following key elements are in place.

A Formal Complaint Process

You will need to create or update your current process to a specific one for data protection complaints. This can be integrated into your existing complaint frameworks, but it must meet the requirements in the ICO complaints procedure.

Accessible Complaint Channels

Individuals must be able to submit complaints easily through commonly accessible channels, such as email, website forms, and telephone.

Defined Response Timelines

Your business must acknowledge complaints within 30 days and provide a timely and complete response.

Clear Ownership and Accountability

Clearly assign responsibilities for handling complaints, often to a Data Protection Officer (DPO) or compliance lead, with clearly defined escalation procedures.

Record-Keeping and Audit Trails

Your business must maintain clear records of complaints received, actions taken, and outcomes delivered for audit and compliance review purposes.

Alignment with Existing Laws

Your complaint-handling approach must align with the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Practical Steps to Get Your Business Ready Before June 2026

We recommend that you get started early to avoid disruption and reduce compliance risk. Here’s what you can do:

1. Audit your current complaint process: Review how your organisation currently handles complaints related to personal data. Identify any gaps or inconsistencies in the process.
2. Design or update your complaints framework: Create a structured workflow for data protection complaints and ensure it follows the ICO data protection complaint rules.
3. Define roles and responsibilities: Assign ownership to your DPO or compliance team and establish clear escalation procedures.
4. Update policies and documentation: Check whether your private notices, internal policies, and staff guidance align with your updated complaint-handling process.
5. Train your staff: Your employees must know what a data protection complaint is, how to recognise and escalate issues, and their role in the process.
6. Implement tracking and reporting systems: Use systems to log and address complaints and track trends. You can also run internal tests or mock complaints to identify any shortcomings

Putting processes in place early ensures your organisation is fully prepared, compliant and confident when the new ICO data protection compliance rules take effect. 

Need support planning for June 2026 changes? Redpalm can help you design, implement, and optimise your data protection compliance framework through our IT audits and health checks. Call 0333 006 3366 or email info@redpalm.co.uk for a free IT review of your organisation.