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…
Read More… from UK government consults on Smart Data opportunities
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…
Read More… from Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Commencement No 1) Regulations 2025 made
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…
Read More… from CMA proposes to designate Google and Apple as having strategic market status
UK law Online Safety Act 2023 (Commencement No. 6) Regulations 2025 made to repeal video sharing regime The Online Safety Act 2023 (Commencement No. 6) Regulations 2025 SI 2025/888 have been made. They are the sixth commencement regulations made under the Online Safety Act 2023. They bring into force section 210 of the 2023 Act,…
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…
Read More… from Intellectual Property Office launches consultation on Standard Essential Patents
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…
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….
Read More… from Product Regulation and Metrology Act receives Royal Assent
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,…
Read More… from Advocate General delivers Opinion on fair compensation
The European Commission has launched a public consultation and a call for evidence on the forthcoming Digital Fairness Act.It aims to deal with: It also aims to ensure a level playing field for online traders, facilitate enforcement and introduce potential simplification. In addition, the Commission says that young people are an important consumer segment with…
UK law Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) (Relevant Public Authorities and Designated Senior Officers) Regulations 2025 made The Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) (Relevant Public Authorities and Designated Senior Officers) Regulations 2025 SI 2025/808 have been made. They amend Schedule 4 to the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. Schedule 4 (relevant public authorities and designated senior officers etc.)…