On 26 October 2023, the UK adopted the Online Safety Act 2023, which introduces new obligations for online platforms to improve user safety online by ensuring content that is illegal and harmful is monitored and removed. We previously compared the Act in its draft form with the EU Digital Services Act here and will be updating the table soon.Continue Reading The UK Online Harms Bill becomes the Online Safety Act
Ofcom
Sense or censorship – the sequel. The Information Commissioner responds to the government’s online harms white paper
By Cynthia O’Donoghue & John O'Brien on
Avid readers of this blog (and we trust there are many of you!) will recall that the UK government recently published a white paper. The white paper sets out the UK government’s approach to regulating the internet to tackle online harms. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has just published the Information Commissioner’s (Commissioner) full…
Not just any data, this is smart data – UK government consultation
By Cynthia O’Donoghue on
Earlier this month, the UK government launched its Smart Data Consultation (Consultation). The Consultation follows the publication of the terms of reference which launched the smart data review late last year, and seeks input on proposals to:
- enable data-driven innovation in consumer markets;
- use data and technology to help vulnerable consumers; and
- ensure consumers and
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60% of British adults and 80% of young teenagers suffered harm online in the last 12 months – the UK debate about the need to regulate the internet continues apace
By Cynthia O’Donoghue & John O'Brien on
Britain’s data protection and broadcasting regulators, the Information Commissioner’s Office and Ofcom, have published a joint Report looking into internet users’ concerns about online harms. The British government’s recently published White Paper, which outlined its approach for regulating the internet to tackle online harms, was informed by this Report.
Methodology
Over 3,000 interviews were…
ICO to assume Telephone Preference Service responsibility
By Cynthia O’Donoghue & Chantelle Taylor on
Effective 30 December 2016, the Information Commissioner’s Office (‘ICO’) will be responsible for recording and maintaining the Telephone Preference Service (‘TPS’) register.
The TPS is a free service offered to the public, which records a list of those individuals who have expressly opted out of receiving direct marketing materials. Marketers and other organisations (including charities,…
Secretive Direct Marketers Face Fresh Restrictions on their Anonymity
By Kate Brimsted & Chantelle Taylor on
From 16 May, those making (or instigating) direct marketing telephone calls must provide Caller Line Identification (‘CLI’) when making calls live or through automated means. The display of their telephone numbers to consumers has the effect of making it easier for consumers to refuse and/or report unwanted marketing calls.
Ofcom Releases Statement on Spectrum for the ‘Internet of Things’
By Cynthia O’Donoghue & Dr. Thomas Fischl on
Last year, we reported on Ofcom’s Statement on ‘Promoting investment and innovation in the Internet of Things (IoT)’ (Statement). IoT refers to the exponentially growing network of products that are capable of communicating with each other, such as smart watches and smart thermostats. The Statement identified four priority areas to support the growth of IoT…
Ofcom Publishes Plan To Support the Internet of Things
By Cynthia O’Donoghue & Angus Finnegan on
In January, Ofcom, the UK telecommunications regulator, published its Statement on ‘Promoting investment and innovation in the Internet of Things’ (Statement). The Statement acknowledges that the Internet of Things (IoT) has the potential to deliver significant benefits to citizens and consumers. In light of this, Ofcom sought views from its stakeholders on what…