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 Nov 2024
ORG urges ICO to revise public sector enforcement approach
The Open Rights Group is urging the Information Commissioner’s Office to revise its light touch approach to public sector data protection issues, arguing that its experimental policy of limiting its enforcement actions to reprimands and notices, rather issuing fines, is allowing bad practices to continue largely unabated Continue Reading
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News
20 Nov 2024
Government issues strategic priorities for online safety regulator Ofcom
Technology secretary Peter Kyle sets out the government’s strategic priorities for how Ofcom should approach regulating online safety, including embedding safety by design and supporting innovation in technologies to help protect people online Continue Reading
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News
06 Feb 2019
Self-driving cars get updated guidelines for trial safety and transparency
The Department for Transport has issued guidance on trial safety and transparency for self-driving cars, and is sticking by its pledge to have self-driving cars on Britain’s roads in the next two years Continue Reading
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News
06 Feb 2019
Huawei: We are not spying on the UK
Huawei’s Ryan Ding tells the British government that the company has never, and will never, use its technology to assist the Chinese intelligence services Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Feb 2019
The nightmare driving test: How to make sure self-driving cars are safe
Simulating realistic environments using deep learning to enable self-driving cars to learn the rules of the road will prove more useful than any amount of real-world practice. We find out why, and meet the people doing something about it Continue Reading
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News
05 Feb 2019
Civil liberties groups to challenge bulk surveillance and intelligence sharing in Strasbourg
Coalition of campaigning groups wins the right to challenge the UK’s use of bulk surveillance powers, which allows suspicionless surveillance of the population and sharing of intercepted data with overseas intelligence agencies, in European Court of Human Rights Continue Reading
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News
01 Feb 2019
Innocent people arrested following surveillance blunders, IPCO reveals
Interception of communications commissioner Adrian Fulford warns of “grave” repercussions for people wrongly identified as suspects due to errors made when government bodies access email, phone and telephone data Continue Reading
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News
01 Feb 2019
ICO to audit Leave.EU and Eldon Insurance
UK privacy watchdog will audit the data protection practices at Leave.EU and Eldon Insurance and has confirmed fines for both companies for unlawful marketing messages Continue Reading
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News
31 Jan 2019
Airbus investigates personnel data breach
Intruders were detected in the information systems of manufacturer’s commercial aircraft business, highlighting the need for a new approach to data protection Continue Reading
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News
31 Jan 2019
Facebook profit up despite privacy failings
Social media giant reports profit gains for the last quarter and the past year, despite a string of privacy blunders that came to light in 2018 Continue Reading
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News
30 Jan 2019
Increased protectionism could curb digital M&As
Businesses may link up with a digital-native business to accelerate their digitisation strategy – but anti-competition authorities are watching Continue Reading
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News
29 Jan 2019
No-deal Brexit would undermine digital economy, BCS warns
Skills, funding and the free flow of data are all at risk, says the chartered institute for IT Continue Reading
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News
28 Jan 2019
Personal records of HIV-positive individuals in Singapore leaked online
The personal information of 14,200 people with the human immunodeficiency virus was leaked by an American who lived in Singapore Continue Reading
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News
28 Jan 2019
Data protection practices still poor, survey shows
Despite concerns over privacy and data protection and a greater understanding of best security practices, individuals and businesses are still falling short, a survey reveals Continue Reading
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News
28 Jan 2019
Minister urges UK firms to prepare for no-deal Brexit
On International Data Protection Day, the UK’s digital minister has added her voice to calls by the data protection watchdog for UK firms to prepare for a no-deal Brexit Continue Reading
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News
25 Jan 2019
Vodafone suspends use of Huawei hardware
Vodafone’s UK CEO has said the operator will ‘pause’ its use of Huawei hardware for the foreseeable future Continue Reading
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News
25 Jan 2019
ICO adds to guidance on ‘no-deal’ Brexit
The UK’s privacy watchdog has been advising UK firms to prepare for a no-deal Brexit and has added some guidance for SMEs Continue Reading
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News
25 Jan 2019
Google petitions Supreme Court to reconsider Android Java ruling
Google’s legal chief claims Oracle’s copyright ruling on Java software interfaces will damage software development Continue Reading
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News
25 Jan 2019
Former EU data protection tsar joins ICO
Former EU data protection supervisor joins the UK’s privacy watchdog as non-executive director, strengthening its commitment to international work Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Jan 2019
A cloud compliance checklist for the GDPR age
The cloud is supposed to make things simpler, but when it comes to compliance, things can get complex. Here is a look at the essential elements of a cloud compliance strategy Continue Reading
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News
25 Jan 2019
Chinese government grants BT new powers
Enhanced operating licences improve telco’s ability to work with customers in China Continue Reading
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News
24 Jan 2019
Thales eSecurity spins out nCipher
After just over a decade, Thales eSecurity has announced that it has spun out HSM specialist nCipher, the UK-based encryption firm it acquired for $100m in 2008 Continue Reading
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News
23 Jan 2019
Facebook’s objections to court concerns over privacy more about ‘optics’ than facts
Facebook’s challenge to a High Court ruling that raises serious concerns about data transfers between Europe and the US is more about appearance than facts, lawyers for the Irish Data Protection Commission told Dublin's Supreme Court Continue Reading
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News
23 Jan 2019
Singapore releases Asia’s first AI governance framework
The model framework will help businesses in Singapore tackle the ethical and governance challenges of AI implementations Continue Reading
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News
22 Jan 2019
Mastercard fined over half a billion euros for unfair payment fees
Mastercard has been heavily fined for having rules on interchange fees which distorted the EU single market Continue Reading
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News
22 Jan 2019
Broadband divide persists across the UK, says Which?
Latest statistics from Which? show the UK’s broadband divide persists, with many areas still missing out on high-speed services despite industry tub-thumping Continue Reading
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News
22 Jan 2019
Facebook: US government does not engage in mass and indiscriminate surveillance
Social media giant challenges a ruling by Dublin’s High Court over a judgment that it says made ‘extraordinary and incorrect’ findings about the US legal system Continue Reading
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News
22 Jan 2019
€50m GDPR fine for Google is a wake-up call for tech giants
The French data protection authority has fined Google €50m for contravening EU data protection laws, which has been hailed as a warning for tech giants and other data handling firms Continue Reading
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News
22 Jan 2019
Singapore to revise copyright law in data analytics boost
Proposed exception in Copyright Act will allow copying of copyrighted materials for the purpose of data analysis Continue Reading
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Podcast
21 Jan 2019
Podcast: How to get ready for the California Consumer Privacy Act
If you have any customers in California, you need to know about that state’s equivalent to GDPR. Mathieu Gorge of Vigitrust talks through what you need to achieve compliance Continue Reading
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News
21 Jan 2019
Amazon shareholders demand halt in sales of image recognition tech to US government
Amazon shareholders want its board of directors to halt sales of its image recognition service to US law enforcers unless it can independently verify it's not being misused Continue Reading
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News
21 Jan 2019
Home Office vetoes privacy campaigner from senior post in surveillance watchdog
The Home Office refuses academic and privacy campaigner, Eric King, security clearance for a senior role at the intelligence services watchdog, despite high-level backing from officials Continue Reading
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News
18 Jan 2019
Prepare for no-deal Brexit, says ICO
The UK data protection authority is urging businesses to prepare for a no-deal Brexit to ensure there is no interruption in data flows from Europe Continue Reading
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News
17 Jan 2019
UK tech firms favour second referendum as next move in Brexit stalemate
UK tech firms want to remain as close to the EU as possible and believe a second referendum on membership of the trading bloc would be the best way out of the current political stalemate Continue Reading
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News
16 Jan 2019
Davos: World leaders need to grasp future technological risks
Technological advancement is both a benefit and risk to society, but often the risks are not identified until they are exploited Continue Reading
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Opinion
16 Jan 2019
Facebook’s high-stakes privacy gamble goes to Dublin court
A high-wire gamble with billions in compensation at stake for European internet users – part of a complex case between Facebook and the Irish information commissioner – hides challenge to the unlawfulness of US state internet surveillance Continue Reading
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News
16 Jan 2019
UK financial services regulator to link top banker bonuses to IT performance
FCA head tells Commons Treasury committee: “We expect banks’ policies on variable remuneration to reflect operational resilience. They have to – if they don’t, we will act.” Continue Reading
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News
15 Jan 2019
Less than half of firms able to detect IoT breaches, study shows
UK firms have one of the lowest internet-of-things device breach detection capabilities in Europe, a study reveals Continue Reading
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News
10 Jan 2019
Right to be forgotten is not global, says EU court adviser
The right to be forgotten should apply only in the European Union, according to the chief adviser to the European Court of Justice Continue Reading
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News
10 Jan 2019
Enterprises are increasing the human workforce while deploying AI
Artificial intelligence is creating more jobs than it replaces, according to a study of businesses using the technology Continue Reading
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News
10 Jan 2019
BT faces tussle to keep EU contracts after Brexit
The European Union will likely re-evaluate its telecoms contracts with BT following Brexit, and cancelling them altogether is a real risk in a no-deal scenario, according to leaked documents Continue Reading
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News
09 Jan 2019
AWS ‘does not dominate’ cloud market, claims Amazon’s UK public policy chief
Amazon’s UK director of public policy, Lesley Smith, has told the House of Lords Communications Committee that Amazon is a “prevalent”, rather than “dominant” force in the cloud market Continue Reading
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News
04 Jan 2019
Data breaches affected more than a billion people in 2018
The personal information of more than a billion people was compromised in 2018 as companies holding the data failed to keep it safe Continue Reading
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News
03 Jan 2019
IT regulators and practitioners need common language
There needs to be greater understanding between lawmakers and technologists to ensure regulations do not have unintended consequences, says a US computer security researcher and bug bounty pioneer Continue Reading
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News
02 Jan 2019
Huawei aims to be more resilient in 2019 amid challenges
Huawei’s rotating chairman Guo Ping outlines the firm’s priorities to optimise its product portfolio, empower employees and build a more resilient business structure Continue Reading
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News
27 Dec 2018
Top 10 Middle East stories of 2018
Here are Computer Weekly’s top 10 Middle East enterprise IT stories of 2018 Continue Reading
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News
20 Dec 2018
Marriott data breach losses could be over half a billion dollars
Direct losses related to a huge data breach at US hotel group could reach $600m Continue Reading
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News
20 Dec 2018
Top 10 financial services stories of 2018
Here are Computer Weekly's top 10 financial services stories of 2018 Continue Reading
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News
19 Dec 2018
CMA acts on super-complaint over broadband, mobile charges
The Competition and Markets Authority is to crack down on communications services providers who ‘penalise’ loyal customers over new ones Continue Reading
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News
19 Dec 2018
Lauri Love battles police for return of computers as NCA confirms live investigation
The National Crime Agency (NCA) confirms there is a live investigation into Lauri Love in the UK, as Love brings legal action against UK police for the return of seized computer equipment Continue Reading
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News
19 Dec 2018
Top 10 broadband stories of 2018
The networking industry swung firmly behind full-fibre broadband in 2018, with encouraging signs that the gold-standard of broadband service delivery technology is at long last taking off in the UK Continue Reading
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News
19 Dec 2018
Top 10 Benelux IT stories of 2018
From cyber security planning to smart city initiatives, here is a selection of articles about IT developments in the Benelux countries Continue Reading
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News
18 Dec 2018
Ofcom fires starting gun for new mobile spectrum auction
Mobile spectrum in the 700MHz and 3.6-3.8GHz bands will be put up for auction either late in 2019 or early in 2020 Continue Reading
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News
14 Dec 2018
Ofcom tells ISPs to be upfront about better broadband deals
Telecoms regulator is rolling out a range of measures to make the broadband market serve the interests of consumers better Continue Reading
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News
13 Dec 2018
ICO and government help UK businesses prepare for no-deal Brexit
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and the government are providing guidance for UK businesses, particularly SMEs, on how to prepare for a possible no-deal Brexit Continue Reading
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News
13 Dec 2018
Sberbank partners US accelerator for startup programme
Russian state-run bank links up with San Francisco-based accelerator 500 Startups to provide expert advice to startups in a variety of tech fields Continue Reading
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News
13 Dec 2018
UK trade sector risks GDPR fines over poor data disposal
UK businesses in the trade sector are risking GDPR fines for failing to wipe data from old IT equipment, a survey shows Continue Reading
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Opinion
12 Dec 2018
Feudal Lords and anarchic allies – the new models for software collaboration
Software developers often take an unconventional view of contracts for the work they undertake, which can come back and bite them Continue Reading
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News
11 Dec 2018
Slow action on broadband and 5G risks UK’s economic future, CBI warns
A report from the CBI has called for the government to fast-track legislation to guarantee access to ultrafast network services Continue Reading
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News
07 Dec 2018
Hybrid cloud in Australian government removes supplier lock-in
Australian public sector could take the hybrid approach to cloud computing as government’s digital transformation strategy moves ahead Continue Reading
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News
06 Dec 2018
BT and KCOM named broadband USO suppliers
Ofcom has named BT, and in East Yorkshire, KCOM, as the designated providers for the incoming broadband universal service obligation Continue Reading
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News
06 Dec 2018
China demands release of arrested Huawei CFO
The Chinese government has called for the release of Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, who was detained in Canada at the weekend Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Dec 2018
Brexit implications for data protection
Leaving the European Union will have serious implications for data protection in the UK unless adequate steps are taken, so businesses are advised to have contingency plans in place Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Dec 2018
The future of network-connected device security
The proliferation of poorly secured network-connected devices has prompted the UK government to publish new best practice guidelines. Do these go far enough? Continue Reading
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News
04 Dec 2018
Zopa gains banking licence and prepares launch
Peer-to-peer lending pioneer Zopa is turning its attention to retail banking in the UK, with plans to offer savings, credit and money management products Continue Reading
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Opinion
03 Dec 2018
Brexit and digital identity – avoiding future restrictions on digital trade
The UK has been a major contributor to European efforts to establish cross-border digital identities. Governments need to ensure that Brexit does not introduce unwanted restrictions that harm digital trade Continue Reading
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News
29 Nov 2018
Danish government launches wide-ranging digital services project
Denmark's government has launched an ambitious project to digitise and automate public services Continue Reading
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News
28 Nov 2018
FCA deeply concerned as no end in sight for IT failures in banking
The FCA has reported a massive increase in the number of banking IT failures in the UK and admitted there is no end in sight Continue Reading
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News
27 Nov 2018
Businesses failing to win consumer trust
Businesses are still largely failing to win the trust of consumers to keep their personal data safe as data breaches continue to make headlines Continue Reading
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News
27 Nov 2018
ICO fines Uber £385,000 for data protection failings
Like Facebook, Uber has escaped a potentially much higher fine for data protection failings because the 2016 breach that affected millions of UK customers is not covered by the GDPR Continue Reading
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Opinion
23 Nov 2018
An IR35 survival guide for employers and contractors
Forthcoming changes to IR35 regulations will affect most private sector companies using IT contractors – so what do you need to do to prepare? Continue Reading
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News
23 Nov 2018
Interview: Roger Taylor, chair, Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation
Chair of the new Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation says collaboration is vital for developing effective frameworks to manage the proliferation of AI and data-driven technologies Continue Reading
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Blog Post
22 Nov 2018
IT community needs to counter concerns behind 'big tech' backlash
Sometimes reporting the latest tech news at Computer Weekly throws up an entertaining juxtaposition. Take these two headlines, for example, from last week: TechUK calls on Matt Hancock to ... Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Nov 2018
IBM pushes boundaries of AI, but insists companies take an ethical approach
Researchers at IBM are pushing the boundaries of what artificial intelligence and machine learning can do, but remain wary of the ethical implications that accompany the proliferation of this technology Continue Reading
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News
20 Nov 2018
Police challenged over refusal to disclose files on WikiLeaks staff
Lawyers will challenge the Metropolitan Police Service today to confirm or deny whether it holds correspondence with US law enforcement about three WikiLeaks staff – including two UK citizens – in a freedom of information tribunal Continue Reading
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News
16 Nov 2018
Tech sector split over Brexit deal
The draft EU Withdrawal Agreement has caused rifts in the tech sector, with some calling for a People’s Vote with the option to remain in the EU, and others wanting MPs to back the agreement, saying it’s better than a no-deal scenario Continue Reading
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News
16 Nov 2018
EE and Virgin Media fined for breaking consumer protection rules
Ofcom has imposed fines totalling £13.3m on EE and Virgin Media, saying both providers levied excessive charges on customers who ended their contracts early Continue Reading
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News
16 Nov 2018
Many firms still stuck in GDPR prep phase six months after its initiation
Six months after the GDPR compliance deadline, many companies are struggling to make data protection principles part of everyday business, says PwC’s GDPR and data protection lead Continue Reading
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News
15 Nov 2018
Keep people at the centre of risk management, says consultant
In assessing the cyber risks to a business, security professionals should start with the people in an organisation and keep them at the centre in identifying and mitigating risk, says consultant Continue Reading
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News
15 Nov 2018
Members of Parliament should back EU Withdrawal Agreement, says industry
Industry experts say the government’s EU Withdrawal Agreement is far from perfect and still requires more clarity, but call on MPs to back it, as it’s better than a No-Deal Brexit Continue Reading
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News
14 Nov 2018
Defra still to test six ‘critical’ IT systems before Brexit
MPs have raised concerns around Defra’s Brexit readiness as it hasn’t yet begun testing six critical IT systems needed to replace EU systems, but the department remains confident Continue Reading
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News
14 Nov 2018
Challenger bank ready to get its banking licence back
CivilisedBank is reapplying for a banking licence after giving it up to focus on its technology Continue Reading
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News
12 Nov 2018
Home Office to use smartphone ID for EU Exit scheme
The Home Office will use smartphone digital identity verification to support applications for the government’s EU Exit Settlement Scheme Continue Reading
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News
12 Nov 2018
Government considering dedicated internet regulator, says digital minister
An upcoming white paper is likely to set out proposals for an internet regulator, a House of Lords committee has been told Continue Reading
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News
12 Nov 2018
Firms lack responsible exec for cyber security
Narrow gap between CEO, CIO and CISO roles means no single executive function is stepping up to take responsibility for cyber security, a study shows Continue Reading
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News
12 Nov 2018
NHS issues guidance for instant messaging use in acute settings
As NHS staff are increasingly turning to messaging apps to communicate with each other, the government issues guidance saying only tools meeting the NHS encryption standard should be used Continue Reading
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Opinion
12 Nov 2018
GCHQ offers help to embryonic Irish cyber security organisation
Ciaran Martin head of the UK's National Cyber Security Centre, part of GCHQ, builds bridges with the Republic of Ireland's intelligence community during an official visit to Dublin Continue Reading
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Opinion
09 Nov 2018
Dynamic pricing online should not be regulated as anti-competitive
Competition authorities are examining online retailers' use of dynamic pricing to see if it's fair to consumers – but the principle of regulating such activity is economically wrong Continue Reading
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News
08 Nov 2018
Self-driving cars may have to break law, says Law Commission
Self-driving cars may have to break the rules of the road to operate safely, and the Law Commissions of England, Wales and Scotland are embarking on a consultation to seek input on how to manage this Continue Reading
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News
08 Nov 2018
GDPR a challenge to AI black boxes
Most artificial intelligence “black boxes” do not comply with EU data protection laws and will have to be re-engineered, warns security researcher and consultant Continue Reading
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News
08 Nov 2018
Increasing value of personal data a 21st century challenge
The increasing value of personal data presents the challenge of managing a personal data economy, says identity and security expert Continue Reading
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News
07 Nov 2018
5G mobile masts bring installation challenges, EE finds
EE has switched on a fixed wireless access network in central London to test elements of its future 5G mobile service, but faced some challenges setting it up Continue Reading
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News
06 Nov 2018
Information commissioner calls for stricter regulation on political use of data
Information commissioner Elizabeth Denham’s investigation into the use of data in elections and campaigns, finds "a disturbing disregard for voters’ personal privacy" Continue Reading
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Opinion
06 Nov 2018
Making the UK the safest place to live and work online
Government, industry and individuals all have to play their part in enhancing cyber security practices Continue Reading
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News
06 Nov 2018
GSMA urges fresh action on 5G mobile spectrum
Mobile industry body says time is running out to ready enough radio frequency spectrum in the appropriate bands to account for the demands of 5G mobile networks Continue Reading
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News
05 Nov 2018
TalkTalk makes ‘fair broadband’ promises
TalkTalk has launched its own Fairer Broadband Charter as research reveals widespread dissatisfaction with some common industry practices Continue Reading
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News
05 Nov 2018
Banking sector leading CIAM innovation, say Big Four
Maturity in consumer identity and access management (CIAM) differs from sector to sector, with the banking sector taking the lead in terms of innovation, according to the Big Four accounting firms Continue Reading
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News
02 Nov 2018
Ofcom has another go at liberalising duct and pole access
Telecoms regulator is making a new attempt to establish better access to BT’s duct and pole infrastructure for communication services providers Continue Reading
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News
02 Nov 2018
Radisson hotel group could be GDPR test case
Privacy watchers say the breach of personal data of members of the Radisson Hotel Group’s loyalty scheme could be an interesting test case for how the GDPR will be applied Continue Reading
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News
31 Oct 2018
GDPR driving data protection maturity
The EU data protection laws are helping to drive data protection maturity internationally, but five months after enforcement many companies are still playing catch-up, says consultant Continue Reading
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Opinion
31 Oct 2018
Digital services tax weakens the case for tech startups to choose the UK
The UK government’s plan for a tax specifically targeting big digital firms risks undermining international efforts to reform corporate taxation for the digital age Continue Reading
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News
31 Oct 2018
Ofcom releases BT from 2005 Openreach undertakings
Following the legal split of the two organisations, telecoms regulator Ofcom has formally ‘released’ BT from the 2005 undertakings set up to manage the Openreach infrastructure business Continue Reading