Rest (hopefully) in peace: tech safety laws would have spelt disaster for free speech July 15, 2022 The Online Safety Bill has been pushed until the autumn, which hopefully means it will finally be dead in the water.
Mixed reviews: Government puts brakes on Online Safety Bill as parliamentary schedule squeezed July 14, 2022 The government have delayed the remaining stages of the Online Safety Bill after the turbulence at Number 10 has squeezed parliamentary calendars.
Record industry could save £200m as court order extends pirate website block to mobile networks July 12, 2022 The music industry celebrates this morning after a High Court Order forces mobile providers to start blocking pirate music websites, potentially saving the record industry £200m a year. Website blocking acts as a powerful legal remedy for those who own and invest in copyright and brands from music, film, sports and gaming industries, whose rights [...]
Ofcom opens 999 monitoring system for telecom firms as UK pushes forward with digital transformation July 11, 2022 Ofcom has opened a new monitoring programme to determine whether telecoms providers are complying with rules designed to ensure that people can contact the emergency services at all times.
Royal Mail chairman says firm is at ‘crossroads moment’ as it balances union action with productivity woes July 10, 2022 Royal Mail chairman Keith Williams has said unions can't expect a no-string pay deal "where nothing changes", as the company tries to balance dwindling productivity alongside rising union tension.
Ofcom ‘bares its teeth’ with new roadmap for new online safety laws July 6, 2022 Ofcom has urged tech firms to start preparing now for new online safety rules, setting out a plan for the first 100 days of the regime.
Online platforms could have ‘legal obligation’ to fight state disinformation as part of amendment to Online Safety Bill July 4, 2022 Online platforms now have the legal obligation to take “proactive, preventative action” against any state-sponsored disinformation, under a new government amendment. The change will link the National Security Bill and the Online Safety Bill by adding a new Foreign Interference Offence to the list of priority offences within the new internet safety rules. “We cannot [...]
Longer and more frequent ads: Ofcom weighs up advert rules as the UK eyes American model to stay competitive July 1, 2022 Ofcom said it may extend the time and frequency allowed for advertising breaks on UK TV as the watchdog eyes up an American-style model. As part of a review of broadcasting rules, the change could mean Brits have to see more ads, with less time in between them. Current rules set by Ofcom mean that [...]
Conservative ideology is in turmoil as they cling to online speech crackdowns June 29, 2022 A little known internet safety green paper was the genesis of the Online Safety Bill. It was initiated by the Cameron government and published five years ago, with a focus on a voluntary code of practice and transparency requirements for social media. This would have been a relatively incremental step, a collaborative approach to addressing [...]
Telecom giants agree new cost of living plan amid rocketing prices June 27, 2022 The UK’s biggest broadband and mobile operators have agreed to a raft of new commitments to further help customers with the rising cost of living following a government-led summit at No 10 Downing Street.