Regulating Big Tech in the UK – Competition Bulletin

‘Following hot(ish) on the heels of the EU’s Digital Markets Act, the UK’s Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (“the Bill”) was published on 25 April 2023. It seeks to do three things: (1) to establish a new ex-ante regulatory regime for digital markets, conferring powers on the CMA, via its Digital Markets Unit, to impose conduct requirements and make “pro-competitive interventions” (“PCIs”) in relation to designated firms, and to impose hefty penalties for failure to comply; (2) to reform the existing competition law system, notably relating to merger controls, market inquiries and enforcement; and (3) to enhance consumer rights and enforcement. This post focusses on the first of these.’

Full Story

Competition Bulletin, 17th May 2023

Source: competitionbulletin.com

Adverts claiming products are carbon neutral by using offsetting face UK ban – The Guardian

Posted May 16th, 2023 in advertising, climate change, consumer protection, news, standards by sally

‘Adverts that claim products are carbon neutral using offsets are to be banned by the UK’s advertising watchdog unless companies can prove they really work, the Guardian can reveal, as Gucci becomes the latest company to struggle with a high-profile environmental commitment based on offsetting.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 15th May 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

A ‘watershed moment’ for the digital sector – the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill – Mills & Reeve

Posted May 11th, 2023 in bills, competition, consumer protection, electronic commerce, news by sally

‘This briefing is part of a series that will take a closer look at the government’s draft Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (the “Bill”) which was introduced into Parliament on 25 April 2023. This is an important and far-reaching Bill which will see wide ranging reforms to competition and consumer protection laws.’

Full Story

Mills & Reeve, 10th May 2023

Source: www.mills-reeve.com

New blueprint to protect public from scammers – Home Office

‘Government launches new strategy to cut fraud, pursue fraudsters and empower the public.’

Full Story

Home Office, 3rd May 2023

Source: www.gov.uk

CMA launches initial review of artificial intelligence models – Competition and Markets Authority

Posted May 4th, 2023 in artificial intelligence, competition, consumer protection, news by tracey

‘The CMA is opening an initial review of competition and consumer protection considerations in the development and use of AI foundation models.’

Full Story

Competition and Markets Authority, 4th May 2023

Source: www.gov.uk

UK government publishes Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill – OUT-LAW.com

Posted April 26th, 2023 in bills, competition, consumer protection, news, ombudsmen by sally

‘The UK government has published its long-awaited Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (DMCC) Bill, designed to boost competition and crack down on unfair business practices.’

Full Story

OUT-LAW.com, 25th April 2023

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

New rules ban subscription traps and fake reviews – BBC News

Posted April 25th, 2023 in bills, consumer protection, electronic commerce, news by sally

‘Buying, selling or hosting fake reviews will become illegal as part of changes planned in new laws.’

Full Story

BBC News, 25th April 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Cloud customers should consider options following Ofcom report – OUT-LAW.com

Posted April 25th, 2023 in competition, consumer protection, internet, news, reports by sally

‘The 220-page report published in accordance with Ofcom’s market study powers under the Enterprise Act 2002 highlighted practices which the regulator considers potentially hinder and restrict competition; in particular a customer’s ability to switch provider and adopt a multi-cloud architecture. It is proposing to refer the market for an in-depth investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).’

Full Story

OUT-LAW.com, 24th April 2023

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Crucial hearing in Mastercard litigation begins – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The Competition Appeal Tribunal is set to hear arguments today on a complex EU law issue worth billions of pounds in proceedings against credit card providers, Mastercard and Visa.’

Full Story

Law Society's Gazette, 24th April 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

UK advertising watchdog to probe ‘free trial’ subscription traps – OUT-LAW.com

‘Businesses using “free trial” ads to engage consumers for their subscription services have been urged to review their online marketing content, as the UK’s Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) has set out its plan to target non-compliant trials and other promotional subscription offers in upcoming enforcement action.’

Full Story

OUT-LAW.com, 13th April 2023

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

William Hill let customer bet £23,000 in 20 minutes – BBC News

Posted March 28th, 2023 in consumer protection, fines, gambling, money laundering, news, penalties by sally

‘Three gambling firms owned by William Hill are to pay penalties of £19.2m for failing to protect consumers and weak anti-money laundering controls.’

Full Story

BBC News, 28th March 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

UK Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill could have major impact on subscription providers – OUT-LAW.com

‘Businesses that provide subscription services to customers in the UK should consider the implications of upcoming reforms and prepare for an increased level of regulatory scrutiny.’

Full Story

OUT-LAW.com, 13th March 2023

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Updated consumer law guidance for higher education providers welcomed – OUT-LAW.com

Posted February 21st, 2023 in competition, consumer protection, education, news, universities by tracey

‘Updated guidance for higher education (HE) providers announced by the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will help the sector ensure that their practices are compliant, according to one legal expert.’

Full Story

OUT-LAW.com, 20th February 2023

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

FCA set to regulate ‘buy now pay later’ payment products in UK – OUT-LAW.com

‘The UK government has published draft legislation which would bring the fast-growing “buy now pay later” (BNPL) industry within Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulation and bolster protection for consumers.’

Full Story

OUT-LAW.com, 17th February 2023

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Mobile and broadband prices: UK watchdog reviews inflation-busting rises – The Guardian

Posted February 10th, 2023 in consumer protection, inflation, news, ombudsmen, telecommunications by sally

‘The UK telecoms regulator has launched an investigation into the industry-wide practice of hitting broadband and mobile customers with inflation-busting price rises of up to 17% and could bring in tougher protections against hefty mid-contract increases.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 9th February 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Energy suppliers to be investigated over Britons forced on to prepayment meters – The Guardian

Posted January 23rd, 2023 in consumer protection, energy, news, ombudsmen by tracey

‘Energy companies are to be investigated by the regulator Ofgem after the number of households struggling with their bills being forced on to prepayment meters has increased sharply. Ofgem could consider taking legal action if it determines that the rise in the number of homes being forced on to prepayment meters is proven to show companies are not taking proper due care of vulnerable households.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 23rd January 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

TonyBet fined £442,750 and warned on failure to have fair and transparent terms – The Independent

Posted January 18th, 2023 in consumer protection, fines, gambling, money laundering, news, unfair contract terms by tracey

‘TonyBet has been fined 442,750 and warned about its failure to have fair and transparent terms, and for failing to follow social responsibility and anti-money laundering rules, the Gambling Commission said.’

Full Story

The Independent, 18th January 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Rogue landlord fined £12,000 for exploiting Bristol tenants – BBC News

Posted January 13th, 2023 in consumer protection, deposits, fines, housing, landlord & tenant, news by tracey

‘A rogue landlord who created fake identities and letting agents to keep deposit money in an “elaborate web of misinformation” has been fined.’

Full Story

BBC News, 13th January 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Calls for UK ban on pre-payment meter installations made under court warrants – The Guardian

Posted November 30th, 2022 in consumer protection, debts, energy, news by sally

‘Campaigners have called for an immediate ban on pre-payment meter (PPM) installations made under court warrants because of fears that energy suppliers are using them to disconnect the poorest, most indebted customers “by the back door”.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 29th November 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Advertising regulator signals crackdown on ‘hot air’ environmental claims – The Independent

‘The advertising regulator is to crack down on “hot air” environmental claims amid consumer confusion around terms such as “carbon neutral” and “net zero”.’

Full Story

The Independent, 20th October 2022

Source: www.independent.co.uk