Data Bill Opposed by Sir Elton John and Dua Lipa Finally Passes
A controversial bill that sparked a fierce debate between prominent UK artists and members of the House of Lords has now been passed. The Data (Use and Access) Bill faced strong opposition from high-profile creatives like Sir Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney, and Dua Lipa, who demanded an amendment requiring tech companies to disclose their use of copyrighted material when training AI tools.
Peers argued that without this amendment, tech firms would have unchecked access to UK creative content, using it to train AI models without compensation. Sir Elton John described this as "committing theft on a high scale." However, the government refused to include the amendment, citing ongoing consultations on copyright and plans for a separate AI bill.
This refusal left the bill stuck between the Commons and the Lords for a month. Ultimately, the bill passed without the amendment and is set to become law once it receives royal assent.
Government and Creative Industry at Odds
Composer and broadcaster Lord Berkeley expressed frustration but acknowledged the limits of what could be achieved in the Lords. "We've done it. It's up to the government and the other place (the Commons) now to listen," he said. The government welcomed the bill's passage, emphasizing its potential to boost the economy and improve lives in areas such as health and infrastructure.
A Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) spokesperson stated, "This Bill is about using data to grow the economy and improve people's lives, from health to infrastructure and we can now get on with the job of doing that."
Beyond AI: Other Key Provisions in the Bill
The bill includes several practical measures that have been overshadowed by the AI copyright debate:
- New rights for bereaved parents to access their deceased children's data
- Changes to enable NHS trusts to share patient data more efficiently
- A 3D underground map of the UK’s pipes and cables to reduce accidental damage during roadworks
DSIT highlighted the benefits: "This is good news for NHS workers and the police, who will be freed from over a million hours spent on admin, bereaved parents who will get the answers they deserve, and people who will be safer online thanks to new offences for deepfake abuse."
The Debate Continues
Despite the bill’s passage, the core disagreement over AI and copyright remains unresolved. Baroness Kidron, a filmmaker who championed the amendment, called the government's win "a pyrrhic victory at best," warning it risks handing over UK creative content to primarily US-based AI developers without adequate protection.
Supporters of stronger protections believe the UK’s £124 billion creative sector faces real threats without government action. Owen Meredith, CEO of the News Media Association, said the bill sends a "clear message" that Parliament and the UK's 2.4 million creative workers will continue fighting to uphold copyright law.
Baroness Dido Harding emphasized the persistence of this issue in future debates: "We keep being told that AI will change everything, which means we will discuss this during debates on every bill. We will prevail in the end."
Peers Demand More Protection from AI for Creatives
The Lords’ repeated defeats on this issue reflect ongoing concerns about the impact of AI on creative rights. As AI development accelerates, the tension between fostering innovation and protecting creative industries remains a critical challenge for policymakers.
Government AI Copyright Plan Suffers Fourth House of Lords Defeat
This bill’s journey illustrates the difficulty in balancing technology growth with copyright enforcement. The government’s decision to delay AI copyright reforms until after additional consultations and legislation has left creative voices feeling sidelined for now.
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