After a troubled passage through parliament, the Data (Use and Access) Bill received Royal Assent on 19 June and is now the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025. It introduces amendments to the UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, and the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 (SI 2003/2426) (PECR). The Act…
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UK law CMA publishes update on dynamic pricing The CMA has published an update on its investigation into dynamic pricing. It says that dynamic pricing can affect competition and consumer outcomes; and has issued guidance for businesses using dynamic pricing to help them comply with consumer law, and with the aim of building build trust…
The Competition and Markets Authority is proposing to designate Google with strategic market status (SMS) in general search and search advertising under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. The CMA is consulting on the proposal before it makes a final decision in October. If designated, the CMA would be able to introduce targeted…
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UK law Investigatory Powers Act 2016 codes of practice published Various codes of practice under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 have been published. The codes of practice set out processes and safeguards for several investigatory powers. CMA consults on releasing Google from Privacy Sandbox commitments The Competition and Markets Authority is consulting on releasing Google…
The ICO has fined genetic testing company 23andMe £2.31 million for failing to implement appropriate security measures to protect the personal information of UK users, following a large-scale cyber-attack in 2023. The penalty follows a joint investigation conducted by the ICO and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. Between April and September 2023,…
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The ICO is consulting on new guidance for smart products. It points out that from smart speakers and fitness trackers to Wi-Fi fridges and interconnected air fryers, smart products often collect large amounts of personal information from users, including sensitive information, so manufacturers and developers must ensure their products are designed with data protection in…
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The Online Safety Act 2023 established the basis for creation of an online safety super-complaints regime. The process will allow for complaints about systemic issues (features or conduct of regulated services) to be raised with the regulator where those issues are, appear to be, or present a material risk of: For the online safety super-complaints…
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UK law Data (Use and Access) Bill finally passes through Parliament and heads for Royal of Assent The Data (Use and Access) Bill finally completed its passage through the UK parliament on 11 June 2025. It was the third attemot at data protection reform in the UK and this final attempt was subject to a…
Ofcom has opened formal investigations into online discussion board 4chan and seven file-sharing services – Im.ge, Krakenfiles, Nippybox, Nippydrive, Nippyshare, Nippyspace and Yolobit. Ofcom has not received responses to its statutory information requests, to which services are legally required to respond. It also says that it has received complaints about the potential for illegal content…
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Ofcom has issued a report how it is supporting the safe innovation and use of artificial intelligence across the sectors it regulates, and streamlining the way it works. Smarter communications The industries Ofcom regulates have technology and innovation at their heart. As technologies evolve, new opportunities emerge that have the potential to drive better outcomes…