Litigation & DR Archives - Society for Computers & Law

ICO consults on guidance for distributed ledger technologies

News • August 29, 2025

Following last week’s consultations in response to the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 coming into force, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is now also consulting on guidance on distributed ledger technologies. Distributed ledger technologies (DLTs) such as blockchain, seek to store, synchronise and maintain digital records across a network of computing centres. Their uses…

This Week’s Techlaw News Round-Up

News • August 22, 2025

UK law 4chan says it won’t comply with the Online Safety Act 2023 Back in June, we reported that Ofcom had opened formal investigations into various companies under the Online Safety Act 2023, including the online discussion board 4chan. This month, it issued 4chan with “a provisional notice of contravention” for failing to comply with…

UK government consults on Smart Data opportunities

News • August 5, 2025

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has issued a call for evidence about how to introduce a Smart Data scheme in digital markets, using new powers under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025. The Act establishes two relevant powers. The first concerns customer data, allowing regulations to require traders to securely provide, at…

Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Commencement No 1) Regulations 2025 made

News • July 29, 2025

The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Commencement No 1) Regulations 2025 SI 2025/904 have been made. The Regulations bring into force specified provisions of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 on 20th August 2025. They are the first commencement regulations made under the Act. Certain provisions were brought into force automatically on Royal…

CMA proposes to designate Google and Apple as having strategic market status

News • July 28, 2025

On 23 January 2025 the Competition and Markets Authority launched two separate SMS investigations, one into Apple and another into Google, to assess their position in their respective mobile ecosystems. The CMA has now announced that it proposes to designate Apple and Google with “strategic market status” (SMS) under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers…

Intellectual Property Office launches consultation on Standard Essential Patents

News • July 24, 2025

The IPO is consulting on potential measures to address challenges in the UK’s Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) ecosystem. A patent that protects technology which is essential to implementing a technical standard (such as 5G) is known as a Standard Essential Patent (SEP). However, there are well-known problems within the UK’s SEP ecosystem that may create…

Ofcom issues updates under Media Act 2024

News • July 24, 2025

Ofcom has issued a consultation and a series of statements under the Media Act, which may be of interest to tech lawyers. Designation of television selection services Ofcom is consulting on its provisional view of the television selection services it proposes should be designated under the Media Act 2024. It says that it is critical…

Product Regulation and Metrology Act receives Royal Assent

News • July 24, 2025

The Product Regulation and Metrology Act has received Royal Assent. Among other things, it aims to boost powers to tackle unsafe products which are sold online. The Act includes measures to hold online marketplaces to account. One example of the safety concerns it aims to resolve concerns fires caused by lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes….

Advocate General delivers Opinion on fair compensation

News • July 22, 2025

The Advocate General has delivered an Opinion in Case C-797/23 | Meta Platforms Ireland on fair compensation. The Advocate General commented that the digital revolution has greatly disrupted the media industry, especially print media. Changing user habits, the rise of online press review services, and competition from new digital channels have significantly reduced publishers’ revenues,…