Data Bytes 67: Your EMEA Data Privacy Update for July 2026

Slaughter found the Federal Trade Commission's independence unconstitutional under the "unitary executive" theory[1]. The firm reports that the Commission's adequacy decision relies on FTC independence, and noyb has indicated it will seek the DPF's annulment[1].The firm writes that organisations that rely on the DPF "should monitor developments closely and consider the resilience of their transfer mechanisms."[1]Ashurst Perkins Coie reports that on 8 July 2026 the EDPB adopted guidelines on processing personal data through blockchain technologies[1].In the UK, the firm says the ICO's 'Edtech examined' report covered consensual audits of 28 edtech providers[1]. According to the update, providers reportedly accepted and implemented 98% of the 596 recommendations made[1].The firm also reports that the UAE Artificial Intelligence and Data Authority was formally established on 14 June 2026[1]. In the update's words, the new authority "could prove to be a real turning point for the onshore PDPL"[1].The update says that in the UK, children's online safety continues to dominate the agenda[1], with proposals to restrict under-16s' access to social media.