Various EU consumer bodies including BEUC and national bodies have made a formal complaint to EU authorities about alleged unfair practices by leading video game companies which make games such as Fortnite, EA Sports FC 24, Minecraft and Clash of Clans. BEUC’s analysis has concluded that traders breach EU consumer protection laws and so has…
UK law Repeal of video sharing platform regime commenced Ofcom has started the process of repealing the VSP regime. It has issued a reminder that the UK government must give video sharing platforms at least six months’ notice of its intention to repeal the regime. 2 September 2024 marks the start of the six months’…
Coimisiún na Meán is taking action to make sure that platforms deal effectively with reports of illegal content online under the EU’s Digital Services Act. It says that one in three digital services complaints made to Coimisiún na Meán relate to difficulties reporting illegal content online. Its initial information-gathering phase is first step towards compliance…
Read More… from Coimisiún na Meán reviews online platforms’ compliance with Digital Services Act
Product Regulation and Metrology Bill introduced to Parliament On 4 September 2024, the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill had its first reading in the House of Lords. The Bill aims to reform the UK’s product safety regime by addressing modern safety issues. The Bill’s second reading in the House of Lords is due to take…
The ICO is consulting on generative AI development and use. It is part of the ICO’s consultation series on generative AI and data protection. It forms the fifth and final section and focuses on the allocation of accountability for data protection compliance across the generative AI supply chain. The ICO says that the allocation of…
Meta provides digital display advertising services. These are a type of digital advertising where advertisers pay online companies (for example, social media platforms) to display advertising on the websites or apps. In June 2021, the Competition and Markets Authority launched an investigation under Chapter II of the Competition Act 1998 into suspected breaches of competition…
Read More… from CMA approves Meta’s changes to data use rules
In May 2024, the Media Act 2024 received Royal Assent and was passed into law. The legislation represents the biggest change to the public service media framework in two decades. The Act makes changes to Ofcom’s existing responsibilities as the UK’s regulator of broadcast media, including: Earlier this year Ofcom published its roadmap for compliance….
Read More… from Ofcom issues update on implementing the Media Act 2024
UK law Media Act 2024 (Commencement No 1) Regulations 2024 made The Media Act 2024 (Commencement No 1) Regulations 2024 have been made. They bring most provisions of the Media Act 2024 into force as of 23 August 2024. Regulation 4 provides for linked commencement where provisions of the Act make amendments to legislation that…
Deceptive Design Patterns (DDPs) or “dark patterns” are often found on websites and apps. They “nudge” consumers into making decisions that may not be in their interests. Examples include additional charges at the end of a transaction after a person has committed time to the purchase process, or users being forced to provide payment details…
Read More… from Deceptive Dark Patterns scrutinised in GPEN Global Report
Ofcom has published two consultations under the Online Safety Act 2023, one on transparency reporting and the other in information gathering. Transparency reporting Under the Act, “categorised services”, which are expected to include some of the most widely used social media and search services, are required to produce transparency reports at least annually. Ofcom is…