FCA proposes ban on cryptocurrency products – The Guardian

‘The UK’s markets regulator has proposed a ban on financial instruments linked to digital “cryptocurrencies” such as Bitcoin, warning that such products could cause huge losses for retail consumers unlikely to understand their risks or value.’

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The Guardian, 3rd July 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Sailing to Byzantium – Blockchain and the art market – Tanfield Chambers

Posted March 20th, 2019 in artistic works, data protection, EC law, electronic commerce, news by sally

‘One of the great frustrations of reading about blockchain is that many of those who set themselves the task of explaining it tell you what they believe it does, rather than explaining what it is, and often what they think it does is received wisdom, leading their expositions to founder on the Scylla of over-simplification. Others, who do understand what it is, often presume on the part of a general readership a level of familiarity with what might appear to be arcane technical concepts which such a readership does not possess: anyone for Byzantine Fault Tolerance? Their expositions thus founder on the Charybdis of incomprehensibility to all but fellow experts. Neither approach really facilitates a consideration of the benefits nor an appreciation of the risks involved in the use of blockchain technology.’

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Tanfield Chambers, 11th March 2019

Source: www.tanfieldchambers.co.uk

MPs call for ethics-based internet regulation – OUT-LAW.com

‘A new code of ethics should govern the removal of harmful content from the internet and there should be “large fines” for technology companies that fail to comply with it, a prominent group of MPs has said.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 19th February 2019

Source: www.out-law.com

City watchdog steps up its inquiries into ‘crypto’ firms – Daily Telegraph

‘As the price of the controversial “cryptocurrency” Bitcoin plunges, new figures show that the City watchdog is stepping up its investigations into the murky sector.’

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Daily Telegraph, 25th November 2018

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Electronic Communication Code: Tribunal clarifies its jurisdiction – OUT-LAW.com

‘Claims for compensation made under the old Electronic Communications Code (ECC) in the UK cannot be brought before a tribunal tasked with resolving disputes under the new ECC, the tribunal has confirmed.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 6th November 2018

Source: www.out-law.com

GDPR: companies should look beyond passwords, says ICO – OUT-LAW.com

Posted November 7th, 2018 in data protection, EC law, electronic commerce, encryption, news by sally

‘Online service providers should consider alternatives to passwords to keep their systems secure and meet their obligations under data protection laws, the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has said.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 5th November 2018

Source: www.out-law.com

Lord Hodge at East China University of Political Science and Law, Shanghai, China, Speech – Supreme Court

‘Financial Technology: Opportunities and Challenges to Law and Regulation, East China University of Political Science and Law, Shanghai, China.’

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Supreme Court, 26th October 2018

Source: www.supremecourt.uk

Amazon told to clarify ‘misleading’ one-day delivery claim – Daily Telegraph

Posted August 15th, 2018 in advertising, consumer protection, electronic commerce, news by sally

‘Companies must provide easy access to compensation if they fail to deliver shopping on time, a consumer group has urged, after Amazon was ordered to clarify its “misleading” one-day delivery claim for Prime customers.’

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Daily Telegraph, 15th August 2018

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Blockchain and AI “could underpin” future law firms – Legal Futures

‘A future where law firms are ‘distributed entities’ based on blockchain and smart contracts, and lawyers will add value by being “stronger” trusted advisers assisted by artificial intelligence, has been mapped out by futurologists.’

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Legal Futures, 13th August 2018

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Warning over online GPs as struck-off doctor discovered using loophole to prescribe ‘unsafe’ drugs – Daily Telegraph

‘The health care regulator is calling for greater powers to protect patients from online GPs after a struck-off doctor was discovered using a loophole to prescribe “unsafe” drugs.’

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Daily Telegraph, 6th August 2018

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Website blocking orders – who pays? – Technology Law Update

Posted July 2nd, 2018 in counterfeiting, electronic commerce, internet, news, repayment by sally

‘It has been clear for a while now that court orders against intermediaries can be a useful tool in tackling web-based infringement. Online selling requires the involvement of technology services – internet service providers, online marketplaces, social media platforms, etc – in order to function. The law recognises this and looks for ways to tackle infringement. But a recent UK Supreme Court ruling (Cartier International v BT) takes a new direction by requiring IP owners to repay ISPs for the cost of blocking measures.’

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Technology Law Update, 29th June 2018

Source: www.technology-law-blog.co.uk

Win (for now) for app developer against Google – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted May 14th, 2018 in electronic commerce, injunctions, internet, news by sally

‘Unlockd, an app developer, sought an interim injunction to prevent Google withdrawing its services. Roth J found that the balance of convenience was in the applicants’ favour. Their claim raised a serious issue to be tried and any action by Google to withdraw their platform would severely damage the applicants’ business. An interim injunction was granted.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 11th May 2018

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Network and information security laws take effect – OUT-LAW.com

‘New cybersecurity laws impacting organisations across central sectors of the economy have taken effect around Europe.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 10th May 2018

Source: www.out-law.com

Ruling highlights gap in the law on software – OUT-LAW.com

‘A recent ruling by the Court of Appeal in London highlights a gap in the law on software, and should prompt a change in UK legislation.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 27th March 2018

Source: www.out-law.com

Data protection watchdog promises regulatory sandbox for digital innovations – OUT-LAW.com

Posted March 7th, 2018 in data protection, electronic commerce, news by sally

‘Businesses developing innovative digital products and services will be able to test that their solutions comply with data protection laws under a new scheme promised by the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).’

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OUT-LAW.com, 7th March 2018

Source: www.out-law.com

Advertising watchdog cracks down on ticket resale websites – The Guardian

Posted March 7th, 2018 in advertising, electronic commerce, fees, internet, news by sally

‘The Advertising Standards Authority has taken action against four large secondary ticketing sites over the misleading presentation of pricing information on their websites.’

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The Guardian, 7th March 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Amazon Echo Dot ad cleared over cat food order – BBC News

Posted February 14th, 2018 in advertising, complaints, electronic commerce, news by michael

“A television ad for Amazon’s Echo Dot smart speaker that caused a viewer’s device to try to order cat food has been cleared by a UK regulator.”

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BBC News, 14th February

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

New payment services must gain consumer trust through sound data security practices to succeed – OUT-LAW.com

Posted December 8th, 2017 in consumer protection, electronic commerce, news by sally

‘Without the trust of consumers, third parties requiring consumer consent to use new rights of access to bank and payment account data will struggle to make an impact in the market.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 7th December 2017

Source: www.out-law.com

Bitcoin: UK and EU plan crackdown amid crime and tax evasion fears – The Guardian

‘The UK and other EU governments are planning a crackdown on bitcoin amid growing concerns that the digital currency is being used for money laundering and tax evasion.’

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The Guardian, 4th December 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

The New POCA Frontier: Bitcoin and Electronic Currency, Shaping Asset Recovery in the 21st Century – Drystone Chambers

‘The question of whether the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) can be used to deal with Bitcoins¹ and electronic currencies has been the subject of some speculation by specialist practitioners recently. In my view it can be utilised, but it is not ideal. I will not deal with the technical difficulties in finding bitcoin accounts; what I will concentrate on in this article is finding the correct legal tools to recover the assets and what other options are available when it does not work.’

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Drystone Chambers, 23rd October 2017

Source: drystone.com