Explainer: Snapchat under the spotlight for high number of underage users August 8, 2023 Parents concerned about the online safety of their children are an issue as old as the Internet, but one that’s been aggravated by the popularity of social media. Snapchat looks to be the last casualty of scrupulous regulators in the UK. The Information Commissioner’s Officer, the data regulator in the UK, is gathering information about [...]
Ofcom: Jacob Rees-Mogg in focus as GB News shows probed over impartiality claims August 7, 2023 Ofcom has launched four investigations into GB News’s compliance with due impartiality rules, including one by Conservative politician Jacob Rees-Mogg. The UK media watchdog said it is looking at three programmes, including an episode of Rees-Mogg’s show State Of The Nation. This in relation to the regulator’s rule that politicians must not act as newsreaders, interviewers [...]
Do viewers prefer the news or Netflix? Ofcom’s latest report reveals state of the nation August 3, 2023 Traditional news channels have beaten Netflix to secure the top spots on the nation’s television appetite as audiences increasingly drift to different media outlets, according to Ofcom’s latest annual Media Nations report. BBC One emerged as the viewers’ first port of call when switching on the TV last year, capturing 20 per cent of the [...]
Ofcom warns mobile phone companies over pricey overseas charges July 20, 2023 Ofcom has proposed a set of new rules that would force mobile phone companies to tell customers when they are using potentially expensive texts, data and calls abroad. The telecoms regulator said that while many mobile phone operators already do, it is planning to make it obligatory for them to text customers when they travel abroad. [...]
Our media literacy push is rewarded over Online Safety Bill July 19, 2023 Lord Holmes of Richmond expresses his delight over some significant changes to the Online Safety Bill in relation to media literacy.
BT boss Jansen pins share price slump on ‘short-term’ London investors July 16, 2023 BT's outgoing boss Philip Jansen has blamed a 'short term' outlook in London for his firm's lengthy share price slump in a defence of his tenure at the top of the telecoms giant.
Ofcom opens Virgin Media probe after customers struggle to ditch contracts July 13, 2023 Ofcom has launched an investigation into whether Virgin Media broke rules surrounding contract termination and the handling of complaints. The company has gained the attention of Ofcom after customers filed a significant number of complaints that the firm was making it difficult for them to cancel contracts. The UK communications regulator said their rules are [...]
Mark Kleinman: What’s next for BT and the City’s ugliest row of 2023 July 13, 2023 Mark Kleinman, City editor of Sky News, writes fortnightly for City A.M. Germans could be on the line at Jansen-less BT Hanging-up time is fast-approaching for Philip Jansen, whose plan to step down as CEO of BT Group next year – revealed by me last weekend – was confirmed on Monday. Sources have told me [...]
Our mobile network is unsafe but Ofcom won’t be able to fix it by itself July 5, 2023 Cyber-attacks on mobile phones are dangerous because they exploit the vulnerabilities of the network itself. To stop them, Ofcom needs help from governments and businesses, writes John Hughes
New Online Safety Bill sparks privacy and national security concerns among public July 4, 2023 The draft Online Safety Bill (OSB) has sparked security and online privacy concerns according to a new survey – although Ofcom has brushed off the scrutiny. Under the new OSB, which is in its final stages of passing through parliament, authorities could force communication providers like WhatsApp to scan online messages sent in the UK [...]