ASA rulings on gender stereotypes, sexualisation and objectification in ads

In a series of recent rulings, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has reviewed ads which were purported to include gender stereotypes, sexualisation and objectification in breach of the relevant rules in the UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct & Promotional Marketing (CAP Code) and the UK Code of Broadcast Advertising (BCAP Code) and accompanying … Read more

Economics of music streaming review: Where are we now?

Over the past decade, music streaming services have grown rapidly, now accounting for more than 80% of music sales in the UK.  Consumers have benefitted from access to large catalogues of music, at lower prices, using a range of innovative services such as higher quality audio, view video content and synced song lyrics.  Music streaming … Read more

Operational Resilience – CTPs: What should you be doing about the proposed UK/EU Critical Third Parties Regimes?

Regulators around the world are focused on the operational resilience of financial institutions, financial market infrastructures (FMIs) and the financial system as a whole. One area of significant risk to the financial system is the dependency of financial institutions on critical third parties (CTPs), particularly in relation to the cloud and other information and communication … Read more

UK Government and Bank of England launch Consultation on a Digital Pound

On 7 February, the Bank of England (the Bank) and His Majesty’s Treasury (HM Treasury) jointly published a Consultation Paper on the development of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) for the UK (or a digital pound). The three key take aways in respect of a likely digital pound are: No final decision has been made on whether there will … Read more

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL DATA PRIVACY DAY: OUR PREDICTIONS FOR 2023

Happy International Data Privacy Day for Saturday! And what better reason than that to explore what 2023 is likely to have in store for data and privacy? We are just over one year on from the UK government hinting that it might think outside the box in terms of data protection regulation. Two years on … Read more

CMA publishes guidance on social media endorsements

On 3 November 2022 the CMA published guidance for social media platforms, brands and content creators setting out how they should approach online advertising in order to ensure they comply with the relevant UK consumer protection legislation.  Social media platforms have a duty to prevent and address unlawful practices such as hidden advertising that are … Read more

EU Digital Services Act comes into force today

EU – E-Commerce  The Digital Services Act (“DSA“) came into force on 16 November 2022, marking one of the European Union’s most significant updates to its legal framework for digital regulation since the adoption of the e-Commerce Directive in 2000. The DSA reshapes the responsibilities and accountability of digital services providers. You can read our … Read more