IT legislation and regulation
Understanding the law as it applies to IT management can be one of the hardest task for IT leaders, but the growing burden of regulatory compliance makes it essential. Legislation and regulation affects enterprise IT in many ways, not just in long-standing tasks such as contracts and software licensing. We examine the latest legal development and how they affect IT managers, and talk to the experts in IT legislation and regulation to explain what it means to your organisation.
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News
20 Dec 2024
Interview: How Green Cargo’s IT switched tracks to logistics success
Green Cargo CIO Ingo Paas took a few turns to establish his company as a composable enterprise able to flex and react quickly Continue Reading
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News
20 Dec 2024
Top 10 data and ethics stories of 2024
Here are Computer Weekly’s top 10 data and ethics stories of 2024 Continue Reading
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News
06 May 2022
UK digital markets regulator to be given statutory powers
Digital Markets Unit will be put on statutory footing by UK government to ensure technology giants do not abuse market power, but announcement comes with no clear indication of when legislation will be introduced Continue Reading
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News
28 Apr 2022
UK regulators seek input on algorithmic processing and auditing
Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum is inviting views on how the four UK watchdogs involved should approach regulating algorithms, following its publication of discussion papers and a 2022 workplan Continue Reading
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News
28 Apr 2022
Manufacturer sues JPMorgan after cyber criminals stole $272m
Manufacturer files lawsuit alleging that US bank failed to inform it of suspicious transaction activity Continue Reading
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News
27 Apr 2022
Government digital ignorance puts Dutch economy at risk
In this interview, Michiel Steltman, managing director of Digital Infrastructure Netherlands, tells Computer Weekly why the Dutch digital economy is at risk due to a lack of knowledge and understanding at government level Continue Reading
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News
26 Apr 2022
Odense Robotics helps develop key export for Denmark
Robotics seen as a future export sector for Denmark as investment startups build their skills in public sector projects Continue Reading
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News
25 Apr 2022
Majority of workers using umbrella companies see no benefits
Research from trade body for independent professionals finds that most self-employed workers operating through an umbrella company think there are no advantages to the arrangement Continue Reading
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News
25 Apr 2022
Post-Brexit immigration challenges sees London drop in tech ranking
Forrester’s latest research of the top European cities for technology clusters, has seen London sliding down the rankings Continue Reading
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News
25 Apr 2022
Government appoints head of technology transfer unit
Government announces a CEO to lead its initiatives around commercialising its knowledge assets Continue Reading
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News
22 Apr 2022
EU lawmakers propose limited ban on predictive policing systems
MEPs’ joint report on European Artificial Intelligence Act sets out limited ban on predictive policing systems alongside a raft of further amendments to improve redress mechanisms and extend the list of AI systems deemed high-risk Continue Reading
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News
22 Apr 2022
UAE bolsters cyber security
The United Arab Emirates has successfully improved its security posture amid mounting cyber threats Continue Reading
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News
22 Apr 2022
Finance regulator identifies challenger bank financial crime weaknesses
Financial Conduct Authority review finds challenger banks need to do more to prevent their platforms being used to commit financial crime, such as money laundering Continue Reading
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News
21 Apr 2022
Zoom adds new round of cyber security enhancements
Videoconferencing platform Zoom adds multiple third-party security certifications and service enhancements Continue Reading
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News
21 Apr 2022
Tech to account for over half of regulatory compliance spending
By 2026, regtech will account for more than half of the money that businesses spend on compliance with regulations Continue Reading
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News
21 Apr 2022
Dutch schools struggle with digitisation
Now is the time for schools in the Netherlands to determine how the opportunities of distance and digital learning resources can be made to work and how the risks involved can be mitigated Continue Reading
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News
20 Apr 2022
One-third of scams that hit TSB are impersonation fraud
TSB reports an increase in fraudsters impersonating trusted organisations to trick consumers into making payments to them Continue Reading
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News
20 Apr 2022
Home secretary Priti Patel to decide whether to extradite Assange
Home secretary will decide in four weeks whether to approve Julian Assange’s extradition to the US, where he faces espionage and hacking charges Continue Reading
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News
12 Apr 2022
Multiple arrests made in RaidForums takedown
A Portuguese national and a 21-year-old man from Croydon are among a number of individuals arrested ahead of the closure of RaidForums by police Continue Reading
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News
12 Apr 2022
AI researcher says police tech suppliers are hostile to transparency
Expert witness in Lords police tech inquiry welcomes committee’s findings but questions whether its recommendations on how to end the ‘Wild West’ of police artificial intelligence and algorithmic technologies in the UK would be implemented Continue Reading
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News
11 Apr 2022
UK altnet demands regulatory probe into broadband mid-contract price hikes
UK full-fibre broadband provider ‘startled’ to see majority of broadband customers are unaware of being locked into large-scale price rises Continue Reading
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News
11 Apr 2022
Nordic countries discuss joint cyber defence capability
Nordic countries are in talks to increase their cyber defences in the face of the threat from Russia Continue Reading
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News
08 Apr 2022
EncroChat: France says ‘defence secrecy’ in police surveillance operations is constitutional
Constitutional court finds that invoking ‘defence secrecy’ to withhold information about the state hacking of EncroChat cryptophones is constitutional. Defence lawyers now head for the supreme court Continue Reading
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News
08 Apr 2022
Ukrainian cyber criminal gets five years in jail
A US court has sentenced Denys Iarmak, who worked as a penetration tester for the FIN7 cyber crime group, to a five-year prison sentence Continue Reading
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News
08 Apr 2022
IT contractors warned as HMRC draws on ‘IR35-adjacent’ legislation in tax avoidance clampdown
IT contractors are being urged to take action now, as details emerge about how HM Revenue & Customs is drawing on some IR35-adjacent legislation to send out five-figure tax bills to individuals who engage with contractor-focused accountants Continue Reading
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Opinion
07 Apr 2022
Online Safety Bill: Collaborating to make the internet safer for all
The UK government's plan to regulate the internet and social media includes some positive and progressive measures – but by working with industry, a lot more could be achieved Continue Reading
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News
07 Apr 2022
Banks should be able to integrate e-krona into existing systems, says Swedish regulator
Swedish financial services regulator says banks and service providers should be able to integrate a potential digital currency into existing systems Continue Reading
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News
06 Apr 2022
IR35 reforms: Private sector warned HMRC's 12-month 'light-touch' enforcement period is ending
HMRC confirmed, in the lead up to the IR35 reforms coming into force in the private sector in April 2021, that it would be taking a ‘light-touch’ approach to enforcing the rules for 12 months. And that grace period ends today Continue Reading
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News
05 Apr 2022
Structured decentralisation is the key to unlocking Nordic-level innovation
Finnish tech entrepreneurs will be taking the stage at the World Economic Forum to tell the world about the role of trust in Finnish startup success Continue Reading
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News
05 Apr 2022
Secrecy over police EncroChat hacking is unconstitutional, defence lawyers tell top French court
France’s constitutional court, the Conseil Constitutionnel, has heard arguments that the use of ‘defence secrecy’ to withhold information about police surveillance operations breaches the French constitution Continue Reading
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News
05 Apr 2022
Discount retailer The Works hit by cyber attack
A small number of The Works’ bricks-and-mortar stores were forced to close amid a cyber attack of an undisclosed nature Continue Reading
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News
05 Apr 2022
Saudi Arabian ICT sector hits $32.1bn after strong pandemic response
The Saudi Arabian IT and communications sector is recovering strongly from the Covid-19 pandemic Continue Reading
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News
01 Apr 2022
Two teenagers charged with Lapsus$ cyber attacks
City of London Police have charged two teenagers in connection with the Lapsus$ cyber crime spree Continue Reading
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News
31 Mar 2022
EU Act ‘must empower those affected by AI systems to take action’
Ada Lovelace Institute publishes recommendations on how European institutions can improve the Artificial Intelligence Act by establishing a ‘comprehensive remedies framework’ around those affected by the deployment of AI systems Continue Reading
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News
30 Mar 2022
Lax money laundering controls lands N26 with ban from Italian central bank
German digital bank N26 has had problems with anti-money laundering regulations in the past, and is now banned in Italy Continue Reading
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News
30 Mar 2022
One-third of UK firms suffer a cyber attack every week
New statistics from the annual DCMS Cyber security breaches survey reveal the extent and frequency with which UK organisations are being attacked by malicious actors Continue Reading
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News
29 Mar 2022
Overhaul of UK police tech needed to prevent abuse
Lords inquiry finds UK police are deploying artificial intelligence and algorithmic technologies without a thorough examination of their efficacy or outcomes, and are essentially ‘making it up as they go along’ Continue Reading
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News
29 Mar 2022
FCA reports 52% jump in security incidents
The Financial Conduct Authority received 116 cyber incident reports in 2021, a fifth of them involving ransomware Continue Reading
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Opinion
29 Mar 2022
Spring Statement lays the foundation for a make-or-break Budget for business in the autumn
The tech sector has welcomed much of the chancellor’s latest financial plans, but says there is more to do if technology is to achieve its full potential for driving economic growth Continue Reading
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News
28 Mar 2022
IT professionals wary of government campaign to limit end-to-end encryption
Members of the Chartered Institute of IT, the professional body for technology professionals in the UK, warn against limiting end-to-end encryption Continue Reading
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News
25 Mar 2022
European Commission proposes new cyber security regulations
New cyber and information security regulations have been proposed by the European Commission to create a minimum set of standards in both areas Continue Reading
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News
23 Mar 2022
UK government promises high-speed internet for all schools by 2025
Hot on the heels of announcing upgrades to UK mobile networks in hard-to-reach places, and as part of its latest plans to roll out gigabit broadband across the country, government turns connectivity focus on educational establishments Continue Reading
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News
23 Mar 2022
Umbrella company Workwell refutes contractor’s ‘withheld holiday pay’ claim
A dispute between a contractor and their former umbrella company shines a light once more on the knotty issue of holiday pay Continue Reading
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News
23 Mar 2022
Spring Statement: Chancellor expands R&D tax relief to cloud computing and storage
Rishi Sunak announces further measures intended to improve innnovation and tech-enabled productivity in UK businesses Continue Reading
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News
22 Mar 2022
Competition watchdog contacts Barclays and Lloyds banks over API failures
Barclays and Lloyds banks have failed to meet some of the open banking rules, says competition watchdog Continue Reading
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Opinion
22 Mar 2022
Revised scope of UK security strategy reflects digitised society
The omission of the word ‘security’ from the title of the UK government’s new National Cyber Strategy is a telling one, reflecting our increasingly digitised society, say Maximillian Brook and Arunoshi Singh of the ISF Continue Reading
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E-Zine
22 Mar 2022
One year on from IR35 reforms – why IT skills are harder to find
In this week’s Computer Weekly, a year after IR35 tax reforms were introduced, we assess the impact on the UK’s IT talent pool – and it’s not looking good. We examine the rise of industry clouds, and how they are changing the market. And we find out how London councils plan to work together on data and innovation. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
21 Mar 2022
Siloed data holding back coordinated health responses
Digital health experts discuss the role of data in coordinating the NHS’s pandemic response and how managing privacy and governance issues are key to further success Continue Reading
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Opinion
21 Mar 2022
How 2022’s most significant data privacy trends affect your organisation
Data privacy and protection are now core responsibilities for most, but as we all know by now, compliance is a moving target. Here, expert Alan Calder looks ahead at what to expect in the coming months Continue Reading
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Opinion
21 Mar 2022
UK Cyber Strategy a welcome injection of progress
The National Cyber Strategy should be seen as a welcome injection of both focus and investment in bettering cyber defence for everyone, says Turnkey Consulting senior consultant Louise Barber Continue Reading
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Opinion
18 Mar 2022
National Cyber Strategy will enhance UK’s cyber power status
The UK punches above its weight when it comes to wielding cyber power around the world, but challenges to this status are clear. The National Cyber Strategy has a clear role to play in maintaining and enhancing this status, writes Paddy Francis of Airbus Cybersecurity Continue Reading
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News
17 Mar 2022
Kaspersky CEO: Ukraine war must end through diplomacy
Eugene Kaspersky speaks out on the war in Ukraine, and rebuffs Germany’s BSI, branding its warnings over his company’s trustworthiness as insulting Continue Reading
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News
17 Mar 2022
Online Safety Bill introduced in Parliament
The government has introduced its long-awaited Online Safety Bill in Parliament, alongside new criminal offences and sanctions for tech company execs Continue Reading
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News
16 Mar 2022
Biden signs ransomware reporting mandate into law
CNI operators in the US must now report cyber attacks within 72 hours, and ransomware payments within 24 hours Continue Reading
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News
16 Mar 2022
Estonian anti-money laundering software pilot reaps benefits
Estonian startup and local banks have successfully piloted a data-sharing platform that prevents money laundering Continue Reading
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News
16 Mar 2022
German authorities warn on Kaspersky but stop short of ban
Germany authorities warn Kaspersky users to consider alternatives to the firm’s flagship antivirus software, citing national security concerns and the war on Ukraine Continue Reading
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News
15 Mar 2022
Meta fined €17m over EU data breaches
The Irish Data Protection Commissioner has fined Meta after finding it in breach of GDPR rules Continue Reading
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News
15 Mar 2022
Cross-party group of MPs calls on Loan Charge contractors to participate in call for evidence
The Loan Charge and Taxpayer Fairness All Party Parliamentary Group is seeking input from contractors about the real-world toll the loan charge policy is having on them Continue Reading
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News
15 Mar 2022
IR35 private sector reforms one year on: Assessing the impact on the UK’s tech talent pool
With the first anniversary of the IR35 reforms taking effect in the private sector fast approaching, IT contractors set out how the changes have affected their ability to find work in the UK Continue Reading
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Opinion
15 Mar 2022
Achieving agility, collaboration and data control in the cloud
Organisations have historically had to make a trade-off between the proven benefits of the cloud and maintaining full control of their data, but with the right strategy it is possible to have both Continue Reading
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News
11 Mar 2022
Majority of UK adults support legal right to disconnect
The introduction of ‘right to disconnect’ legislation to stop employees having to engage in work-related electronic communications outside their normal hours remains popular in the UK Continue Reading
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News
11 Mar 2022
Police EncroChat cryptophone hacking implant did not work properly and frequently failed
Surveillance operation against EncroChat encrypted phone network had repeated technical failures Continue Reading
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Opinion
10 Mar 2022
National Cyber Strategy misses the mark in one important way
The National Cyber Strategy is full of fine words, says Petra Wenham, but as the old expression goes, fine words butter no parsnips, and it misses the mark in one very important way Continue Reading
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News
09 Mar 2022
Paid-for advertising measures included in Online Safety Bill
New measures to deal with fraudulent paid-for advertising have been included in the government’s draft Online Safety Bill, marking the fourth extension in two months Continue Reading
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News
09 Mar 2022
Strategic Review of Policing: Police tech needs better ethical scrutiny
The Strategic Review of Policing confirms the central role that tech will be playing going forward, but warns of the need for greater ethical scrutiny to ensure public trust Continue Reading
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News
08 Mar 2022
UK government forges closer links with Japan, proposes laws to accelerate mobile
Agreement with Japan aims for closer cooperation to solve global telecoms supply chain issues, including support for R&D collaboration on future tech such as Open RAN and 6G Continue Reading
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E-Zine
08 Mar 2022
Using technology to protect human rights
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we investigate how technology is being used to tackle human rights abuses worldwide. We offer a step-by-step guide to disaster recovery in the cloud era. And we examine the vital, and successful, role of digital and data in the UK Covid-19 vaccine roll-out. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
07 Mar 2022
Ukraine joins Nato cyber knowledge hub
Ukraine is to become a contributing participant in Nato’s Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence Continue Reading
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News
04 Mar 2022
Scrapping NHS Digital a backward step for patient data rights
Former NHS Digital chair Kingsley Manning has spoken out over proposals to fold NHS Digital into NHS England, saying that more oversight is needed to safeguard patient data in light of recent events Continue Reading
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News
04 Mar 2022
Microsoft stops sales of products and services to Russia
Citing sanctions and cyber security concerns, Microsoft has become the latest company to withdraw from the Russian market Continue Reading
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Opinion
04 Mar 2022
Assessing the aims of the Government Cyber Security Strategy
The clear aims of the Government Cyber Security Strategy are welcome, but are they realistic or achievable? Continue Reading
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News
03 Mar 2022
Direct action is a risky business for Ukraine's volunteer hackers
Hackers have been responding to Ukraine’s call to create an IT army, but there are many reasons why taking direct action in a kinetic conflict is a bad idea Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Mar 2022
English Channel surveillance used ‘to deter and punish migrants’
Instead of opening safe and legal routes to the UK, the country’s border control ecosystem is deploying surveillance technologies in the English Channel to deter migrant crossings, it is claimed Continue Reading
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News
02 Mar 2022
Ban predictive policing systems in EU AI Act, says civil society
A coalition of civil society groups has called on European lawmakers to use the upcoming Artificial Intelligence Act as an opportunity to ban predictive policing systems Continue Reading
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News
01 Mar 2022
DCMS opens consultation on telecoms cyber standards
Proposed rules will set out the specific measures telecoms providers need to take to fulfil their legal duties under the Telecommunications Security Act Continue Reading
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News
01 Mar 2022
Workplace surveillance ‘spiralling out of control’, says TUC
Trade union body pushes for workers to be consulted on the implementation of new technologies at work, warning that invasive surveillance practices are getting out of hand Continue Reading
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News
28 Feb 2022
EU big tech laws put in context by Russian invasion of Ukraine
Pressure is mounting on EU institutions to cut back regulations they are preparing to impose on US big tech firms while forming laws to create a single digital market Continue Reading
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News
28 Feb 2022
Online Safety Bill updated to deal with anonymous abuse
Social media companies will be forced to deal with anonymous abuse online by the introduction of new measures in the Online Safety Bill Continue Reading
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News
25 Feb 2022
Irish data watchdog calls for ‘objective metrics’ for big tech regulation
Helen Dixon, Ireland’s data protection commissioner, says EU regulators must agree on metrics to measure the effectiveness of data protection regulation Continue Reading
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News
25 Feb 2022
Mid-band 5G forecast to deliver $610bn GDP growth by 2030
Study shows 5G mid-band spectrum will play a key role in meeting demand for enhanced mobile broadband and fixed wireless access, but to satisfy demand for 5G services by 2030, government action is crucial Continue Reading
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News
23 Feb 2022
Paid-for advertising still not covered in Online Safety Bill
Consumer group Which? calls again for government to include measures against scam paid-for advertising in the Online Safety Bill Continue Reading
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News
23 Feb 2022
Attempted burglary exposes risk of NatWest customer data in former worker’s home
Former Royal Bank of Scotland employee offers bank a compromise in her dispute over the return of confidential customer information Continue Reading
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News
23 Feb 2022
Tech acquisition to be major priority for UK police
Policing minister cites technology as major focus for future of UK police, in comments made ahead of the publication of the Strategic Review of Policing in England and Wales Continue Reading
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News
21 Feb 2022
Zoom gains NCSC Cyber Essentials Plus and NHS security badges
Video platform Zoom has added a number of UK-specific cyber certifications to help it demonstrate its platform is safeguarded against common threats Continue Reading
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News
21 Feb 2022
Union pushes for collective bargaining around technology and data
Prospect union releases guidance on how workers and unions can engage employers over the use of technology at work, with particular emphasis on the need to include technology provisions in collective bargaining agreements Continue Reading
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Opinion
21 Feb 2022
Technology is the key to the door of levelling up the UK
We finally have a better idea of what the government’s ‘levelling-up’ policy means in practice – but national progress on digital adoption will be a key measure of its success Continue Reading
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News
21 Feb 2022
Open banking surpasses five million UK customers
Upwards of five million people in the UK are using open banking services as the financial sector’s fintech revolution gathers pace Continue Reading
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News
21 Feb 2022
New consultation on legal direction to restrict use of Huawei in UK telecoms networks
UK government is consulting on its proposed legal instruments to mandate the removal of all Huawei equipment from 5G networks by the end of 2027 Continue Reading
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News
18 Feb 2022
Lawyers say ‘unprecedented’ secrecy deprived EncroChat defendants of fair trials
Lawyers from seven countries say it is impossible for their clients to challenge the accuracy, authenticity, reliability and legality of the evidence against them Continue Reading
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News
17 Feb 2022
Risk of UK digital broadband divide growing
Report from communications regulator warns that amid rising cost of services, millions of low-income families in the UK are missing out on a £144 annual broadband saving Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Feb 2022
It takes a village: Protecting kids online is everyone’s responsibility
The rapid uptake of smartphones among children has contributed to the increasing number of cases of cyber bullying and online grooming. Is this an educational issue or a cultural problem, and can modern enterprise help? Continue Reading
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News
16 Feb 2022
BlackCat ransomware gang claims responsibility for Swissport attack
Ransomware gang is trying to offload 1.6TB of data stolen from aviation services firm Continue Reading
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News
16 Feb 2022
CIO interview: Steve Williams, M&A lead and IT director, Waterstons
Steve Williams is applying decades of CIO experience to the advice he gives businesses during major mergers and acquisitions Continue Reading
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News
15 Feb 2022
UK finance regulator effects changes to ‘buy now, pay later’ contract terms
BNPL finance providers have agreed to make their contracts with consumers fairer, amid concerns Continue Reading
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News
11 Feb 2022
Finance Bill Sub-Committee blames IR35 for ‘concerning’ rise in umbrella company contractors
The House of Lords Finance Bill Sub-Committee has shared the findings of its latest inquiry into the impact the IR35 reforms have had on the way contracting works Continue Reading
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News
11 Feb 2022
How the European Commission is responding to chip crisis
The global supply of semiconductors is still constrained, and this is having a direct impact on European manufacturers Continue Reading
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News
11 Feb 2022
CMA secures final Privacy Sandbox guarantees from Google
The CMA has secured a final set of Privacy Sandbox commitments from Google relating to the proposed removal of third-party cookies from its Chrome browser Continue Reading
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News
10 Feb 2022
IR35 reforms: HMRC slammed for ‘over-collecting tax’ from non-compliant public sector bodies
HMRC has moved to play down claims it is collecting more tax than it is due when tackling non-compliance with the IR35 reforms in the public sector Continue Reading
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News
10 Feb 2022
How diplomatic immunity silenced the prosecutor who coordinated Sweden’s EncroChat probe
Defence lawyers claim Swedish court decision not to hear evidence from a Swedish prosecutor leaves important legal questions unanswered over international police operation to hack EncroChat cryptophone network Continue Reading
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News
10 Feb 2022
UK second in money laundering hall of shame
Banks need to step up their anti-money laundering processes if billions of pounds’ worth of criminal activity is to be prevented Continue Reading
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News
10 Feb 2022
IR35: NAO slams HMRC’s ‘haphazard’ roll-out of off-payroll reforms to public sector
National Audit Office’s 60-page report on the 2017 roll-out of the IR35 reforms claims HMRC’s actions made non-compliance a ‘highly likely’ outcome for public sector bodies Continue Reading
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News
10 Feb 2022
Call for easier consolidation as Ofcom investigates UK mobile market shake-up
UK communications regulator sets out initial thinking on how the UK mobile market might develop and how networks might need to evolve to meet future demand Continue Reading