Science, Innovation and Technology Committee launches inquiry into social media, misinformation and algorithms

The Science, Innovation and Technology Select Committee has launched an inquiry into social media, misinformation and algorithms.  The inquiry follows the anti-immigration demonstrations and riots which took place across the UK earlier this year. Some targeted mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers, driven in part by false claims that spread on social media platforms relating…

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Online safety priorities for Ofcom published and study on effects of social media on children launched

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has set out his priorities for the Ofcom, as it prepares to implement and enforce the Online Safety Act next year. The Online Safety Act requires the government to publish a Statement of Strategic Priorities (SSP). The SSP will be laid in Parliament for approval, before being formally designated by the…

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Ofcom issues update about its progress to bring Online Safety Act into effect

Ofcom has published an update on its progress to bring the Online Safety Act 2023 into effect.  The Act means that companies that operate a wide range of online services are legally responsible for keeping people, especially children, safe online. Online platforms and services will soon have new duties to protect UK users by assessing…

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European Commission requests for information about recommender systems under the Digital Services Act

The European Commission has sent a request for information to YouTube, Snapchat, and TikTok under the Digital Services Act, asking them to provide more information on the design and functioning of their recommender systems. Under the DSA, platforms must assess and adequately mitigate risks stemming from their recommender systems, including risks for the mental health…

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Coimisiún na Meán adopts final Online Safety Code

Coimisiún na Meán has published its finalised Online Safety Code. The Code sets binding rules applying to video-sharing platforms who have their EU headquarters in Ireland. The general obligations contained in the Code will apply from November 2024 and platforms will have an implementation period for certain detailed provisions, which require IT build, to come…

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This Week’s Techlaw News Round-up

UK law Regulating quantum technology applications government response to the RHC The UK National Quantum Strategy was published in 2023 and aims to “create a national and international regulatory framework that supports innovation and the ethical use of quantum technologies, and protects UK capabilities and national security”. The previous government commissioned the Regulatory Horizons Council…

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Court of Justice rules in another case brought by Max Schrems

The Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled in Case C-446/21 | Schrems.  It said that an online social network such as Facebook cannot use all the personal data obtained for targeted advertising, without restriction as to time and without distinction as to type of data. In 2018, Meta Platforms Ireland started using…

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