The Competition and Markets Authority’s independent inquiry group has carried out an in-depth assessment of the mobile browser markets and has provisionally concluded that they are not working well for UK businesses and millions of phone users. Most of the concerns that the group has identified relate to Apple’s policies that determine how mobile browsers…
Science, Innovation and Technology Committee launches inquiry into social media, misinformation and algorithms
The Science, Innovation and Technology Select Committee has launched an inquiry into social media, misinformation and algorithms. The inquiry follows the anti-immigration demonstrations and riots which took place across the UK earlier this year. Some targeted mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers, driven in part by false claims that spread on social media platforms relating…
This Week’s Techlaw News Round-up
UK law Online Safety Act 2023 (Priority Offences) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 made The Online Safety Act 2023 (Priority Offences) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (SI 2024/1188) have been made. They make amendments to the priority offences set out in Schedule 7 to the Online Safety Act 2023 and come into force on 10 December 2024. Criminal offences…
Online safety priorities for Ofcom published and study on effects of social media on children launched
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has set out his priorities for the Ofcom, as it prepares to implement and enforce the Online Safety Act next year. The Online Safety Act requires the government to publish a Statement of Strategic Priorities (SSP). The SSP will be laid in Parliament for approval, before being formally designated by the…
UK government consults on detail of new subscription contracts regime
The UK government has published a consultation on the new subscription contracts regime under the Digital Markets, Competition and Digital Markets Act 2024. It seeks views on how the regime will work in practice. The feedback will inform secondary legislation and guidance, with the regime planned to come into force in 2026. Cooling-off rights: return…
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European Commission fines Meta €797.72 million over abusive practices benefitting Facebook Marketplace
The European Commission has fined Meta €797.72 million for breaching EU antitrust rules by tying its online classified ads service Facebook Marketplace to its personal social network Facebook and by imposing unfair trading conditions on other online classified ads service providers. In June 2021, the Commission opened formal proceedings into possible anti-competitive conduct of Facebook….
This Week’s Techlaw News Round-up
UK law Ofcom publishes letter to online service providers on generative AI and chatbots Ofcom has published an open letter to online service providers in the UK about how the Online Safety Act 2023 applies to generative AI and chatbots. Websites or apps which use a generative AI chatbot that enables users to share text,…
European Commission and national authorities call on Apple to stop geo-blocking practices
Following investigation, the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Network of national consumer authorities (led by those in Belgium, Germany and Ireland) and the European Commission have notified Apple about several potentially prohibited geo-blocking practices that the CPC Network has identified on certain Apple Media Services, including App Store, Apple Arcade, Music, iTunes Store, Books and Podcasts….
European Commission and national authorities urge Temu to comply with EU consumer protection laws
Following investigation at European level, the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Network of national consumer authorities and the European Commission have notified the online marketplace Temu that some of its practices infringe EU consumer law. The CPC Network directed Temu to bring those practices in line with EU consumer laws. Temu remains under investigation and was…
ICO issues tech futures report on emerging genomics
Over the last decade there has been a rapid increase in investment and influence in genomic technologies in a range of sectors. The technology offers well-known benefits in areas like advanced disease treatment and personalised healthcare, and there is a drive to deliver a genomic-focused healthcare system. However, the rapid growth of applications in sectors…
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