Recent Articles

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  26.09.2023

  United Kingdom

  Changes shortly to be made to the Electronic Com­mu­nic­a­tions Code

  SummaryAt the end of last year, we reported on the passing of The Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 (the  “PSTIA”), which is intended to support the roll-out of future-proof, gigabit-capable broadband and 5G networks by making various amendments to the Electronic Communications Code (the “Code”). The provisions of the PSTIA and the changes to the Code were to be implemented in stages by way of regulations.On 18 September 2023 The Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 (Commencement No. 3) Regulations 2023 were made,...

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  26.09.2023

  United Kingdom

  A Roadmap to a Resilient AI Ecosystem: Policy Con­sid­er­a­tions for the UK

  According to a recent briefing paper published by the Centre for Emerging Technology and Security (CETaS) and the Centre for Long-Term Resilience (CLTR), the UK is inadequately resilient to the risks posed by AI. CLTR is an independent think tank with a focus on resilience, while CETaS is a research centre based at the UK’s national institute for AI and data science (the Alan Turing Institute).Calling for decisive action by the UK government, the briefing paper (‘Strengthening Resilience to AI Risk: A guide for UK policymakers’) sets out a suggested framework for identifying and...

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  26.09.2023

  Luxembourg

  New bill of law to enhance the resilience of critical entities

  On 1 September 2023, a bill of law implementing directive 2022/2557 on the resilience of critical entities (the “Bill of Law”) was filed with the Parliament.The Bill of Law aims at enhancing the resilience of critical entities, notably in the field of cyber security. Critical entities provide essential services in the maintenance of vital societal functions or economic activities in the sectors of energy, transports, banking, financial market infrastructure, health, drinking water, waste water, digital infrstructure, public administration, space, and production, processing and distribution...

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  26.09.2023

  United Kingdom

  FCA introduction of new regulatory gateway for firms which approve financial promotions

  BackgroundUnder section 21 of FSMA, currently any firm that is authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA), may approve a financial promotion by another unauthorised person. However, the government is concerned that the current framework is no longer sufficient and gives rise to risks. The FCA is particularly concerned with the promotion of high-risk investments and ‘Buy-Now Pay Later’ (BNPL) products. The FCA has seen examples of promotions that do not warn consumers of the risks, such as the taking on of debt, missed payments and other consequences. The FCA...

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  26.09.2023

  United Kingdom

  DCMS Select Committee publishes its Final Report on the draft Media Bill

  The DCMS Select Committee (the “Committee”) published its Final Report on the draft Media Bill (the “Bill”) on 22 September 2023, in which the Committee called on the Government to make several significant changes to the Bill.Among the Committee’s key recommendations are the following:public sector broadcasters’ designated content and services to be given ‘significant’ rather than ‘appropriate’ prominence on regulated television selection services (e.g. popular smart TVs);the new Video-on-Demand (“VoD”) code should apply to...

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  26.09.2023

  England

  New High Risk Buildings approval regime comes into force on 1 October 2023

  The Building Safety Act 2022 currently provides for a significant overhaul of the regulatory framework in England  for the approval of higher-risk buildings, being buildings of at least 18 metres (7 storeys) which contain at least two residential units or are hospitals or care homes. In previous Law-Nows we considered draft regulations and a Government consultation. Final regulations have now been issued and are due to come into force on 1 October 2023.  It had been anticipated for some time that a new regulatory framework would be introduced for higher-risk buildings including two new...

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