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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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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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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