Tech hub
Connected and Autonomous Vehicles: Changes ahead for UK road traffic laws
The UK Government has recently launched a consultation on proposals to amend the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (Regulations) and the Highway Code. The proposed changes will clarify the legal position for use of features in Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) and should bring the UK law in line with recent updates to international rules.
Read moreDigital Comparison Tools: The CMA's Verdict
The CMA has recently concluded its year-long digital comparison tools (DCT) market study with the publication (on 26 September 2017) of its Final Report. However, this is by no means the end of the story. In addition to making recommendations to DCTs, their users, the regulators (in particular, the FCA), other bodies and the Government, the CMA has launched a competition investigation into the use of wide "most favoured nation" (MFN) contractual arrangements by a DCT in the home insurance sector and will keep other commercial arrangements under review.
Read moreEBA encourages banks to pool their resources for cloud audits
The EBA has set out that banks are no longer required to provide their auditors (or themselves) with an independent right to audit their cloud service providers.
Read moreA mutual break-up? – Old Mutual drops IT supplier IFDS
Old Mutual Wealth has ditched its IT supplier, International Financial Data Services, on £450 million platform project.
Read moreLicensors beware – BlackBerry wins refund of royalties from Qualcomm
Smartphone chip supplier Qualcomm has been ordered to pay back $814.9 million to BlackBerry as part of a binding interim arbitration settlement.
Read moreDigital comparison tools: the CMA decides against a market investigation reference
Six months after the CMA launched its market study into digital comparison tools, it has decided not to make a market investigation reference, but will focus on four areas of possible concern in a second phase of its market study.
Read moreBlockchain technology for contracts: Above the law?
A recent report by the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) explores how blockchain technology could continue to develop and impact on a number of key areas of everyday business and life in general. One area explored by the EPRS report relates to the use of blockchain for so-called 'smart contracts'.
Read moreLicensees beware - SAP wins victory against Diageo for breach of software licence agreement
In a significant ruling for software customers and providers, the High Court found that Diageo breached the "Named User" pricing mechanism of its software licence agreement with SAP.
Read moreOnline Sales and Price-Fixing
The CMA recently issued a warning to online retailers against price-fixing and using automated re-pricing software to facilitate such arrangements.
Read moreDigital comparison tools under review
The UK's CMA has launched a market study into price comparison tools, such as price comparison websites and smartphone apps. The aim is to establish what action, if any, is required to improve how this market works. The CMA has until 28 March 2017 to decide whether to open an in-depth market investigation.
Read moreBig data in insurance: The FCA offers its view
Last week the FCA published a feedback statement on the use of big data in the retail general insurance sector. Its findings are likely to come as welcome news to insurers who are keen to exploit the advantages that big data can offer.
Read moreBlocking the blockers: EU prohibits network-wide ad-blocking
Mobile phone operators' plans to introduce network-wide ad-blocking technology are in jeopardy following new guidance from EU telecoms regulators, a move which highlights the divide between content providers and telecoms companies in their attitude towards ad-free content.
Read moreDrones: don't fly out of bounds (legally)
Various commercial industries have already woken up to the myriad opportunities offered by drone technologies. Whilst the regulatory regime evolves, it is important that companies don’t fall foul of the law.
Read morePrice fixing online – a new competition authority warning
The UK's Competition and Markets Authority ("CMA") has released an open letter to suppliers and retailers warning against online practices which constitute price fixing.
Read moreUpdate: High Court provides guidance on termination for contracting parties
In the recent case of C&S Associates Ltd v Enterprise Insurance Company Plc [2015] EWHC 3757 (Comm) the High Court considered a number of issues that will be of interest to contracting parties, including:
Read moreFCA Publish Draft Guidance on Cloud Services
The FCA has recently published draft guidance for firms outsourcing to the cloud and other third party IT services. This comes as part of the FCA's work on "Project Innovate" which aims to tackle issues stifling innovation within the regulatory sector.
Read moreFCA to examine use of big data in insurance
This week, the FCA has issued a "call for inputs" around how insurance firms use big data.
Read moreCyber fraud – a new hope?
We have previously warned of the threat posed by fraudsters who are targeting solicitors’ client accounts to misappropriate funds.
Read moreThe Modern Slavery Act: what you need to know about the new reporting obligation
The Modern Slavery Act 2015 (the Act) came into force on 26 March 2015. At a high level it aims to improve law enforcement tools, strengthen criminal penalties and deliver better protection and support for victims.
Read moreEU Court declares 'Safe Harbor' data-transfer agreement invalid
The Court of Justice of the European (CJEU) has declared that the "Safe Harbor" framework agreement cannot be relied upon to justify transfers of personal data from the EU to the US.
Read moreDo you know you're being tracked?
Do you own a smart phone? Do you always have WiFi enabled? If your answers to both these questions are yes, your movements were most probably tracked on your way into work today.
Read moreEU Consultation on standards for a Digital Single Market
On 23 September 2015, the European Commission launched a public consultation on information and communications technology ("ICT") standards for creation of a Digital Single Market.
Read moreUpdate: IT Suppliers beware! Your right to terminate on a customer insolvency is changing…
In September 2013 we reported on the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 which provided the Government with the power to extend the law regarding the supply of essential services to insolvent customers.
Read moreArticle 29 Working Party keeps up the pressure on data reform discussions
The EU data protection reform package has entered its decisive phase. The first trilogue between the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council of Ministers began on 24 June 2015 but, even at this late stage, there are many key concepts still to be finalised.
Read moreTransparency by design – putting FOIA at the forefront of public sector outsourcing contracts
Earlier this year, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) published a guidance document recommending some steps for public authorities (Authorities) to take when entering into outsourcing arrangements to help them comply with their freedom of information obligations.
Read moreTechnology and cyber risk update
Drones – issues for casualty insurers
Read moreDigital content under the new Consumer Rights Act
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA) comes into force on 1 October 2015. It will reform consumer law in the UK, in particular by setting up new consumer rights and remedies in respect of digital content.
Read moreUK cyber security: insure against 'rapid, highly damaging and public' threats
Cyber attacks present a daily threat to UK businesses and have become more destructive in recent years with data breaches and hacks frequently making front page news.
Read moreCourt of Appeal opens the door to 'distress-only' data breach claims where no financial loss
In an important ruling, the Court of Appeal confirms that misuse of private information is a tort and rules on the meaning of "damage" under s13 of the Data Protection Act ("the DPA"), allowing claimants to recover compensation for "distress" resulting from a breach of the Act without also having to prove pecuniary losses.
Read moreSupreme Court clarifies the limits on contractual discretion
A recent decision of the Supreme Court1 has confirmed that the limits on contractual discretion include a requirement to take relevant issues into account and that the discretion is not exercised irrationally.
Read moreCMA call for information on use of online reviews
Online reviews: love them or hate them, there is no escape. Products, services, large multinationals, SMEs, online or offline, almost everyone is being judged these days.
Read moreICO fines online travel insurer £175,000 for failing to keep customers’ personal information secure
The Information Commissioners Office (the “ICO”) has fined Staysure.co.uk Limited (“Staysure”), an online travel insurance company, £175,000 for its failure to comply with the seventh data protection principle, after IT security failings allowed hackers to access up to 100,000 customer financial records.
Read moreNew powers to audit NHS authorities' data protection compliance
From 1 February 2015, the ICO will be able to subject public healthcare organisations to compulsory audits of their data protection compliance under section 41A of the Data Protection Act 1998.
Read moreNew UK Procurement Rules Published for Consultation
Draft new Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and a Consultation Document on UK Transposition of the new EU Procurement Directives have recently been published by the Cabinet Office. This paves the way for the 2014 Directives to be implemented in the UK early next year.
Read moreFCA COMPLETES THEMATIC REVIEW OF MOBILE BANKING AND PAYMENTS
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has recently published its findings following its thematic review of mobile banking and payments.
Read moreEU Consultation on Cloud Computing and Software
The EU has opened a public consultation to help define future research priorities in the areas of Cloud Computing and Software (including Open Source). Any and all stakeholders are invited to submit their views by 10 October 2014.
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