United Kingdom: IT and Internet

Ofcom's draft Fraudulent Advertising Codes propose nearly 40 measures that large platforms and search services must implement to prevent UK users from encountering paid-for fraudulent adverts. The codes establish a layered "safety by design" approach spanning governance, advertiser integrity, moderation, reporting and transparency requirements. With potential fines reaching £18m or 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue, platforms face significant compliance obligations across onboarding, account security

The European Commission has proposed the EU KIDS Act, a comprehensive regulation that extends far beyond a simple social media ban for under-13s. This ambitious framework introduces tiered age-based restrictions, safety-by-design obligations across digital services including AI chatbots and online games, and mandatory certified age-verification systems. With potential fines reaching 6% of global turnover and enforcement mechanisms piggybacking on existing DSA machinery, organisations offering digital servic

A patent attorney explores how Versatile RobotX, a University of Essex spinout, is revolutionizing agriculture through autonomous harvesting robots that combine delicate robotic arms with sophisticated machine vision algorithms. The company has secured over £1 million in funding to tackle the formidable technical challenges of automated fruit and vegetable harvesting, addressing critical labor shortages and the growing demand for smart farming solutions.

This autumn issue examines the Pension Schemes Act 2026 reforms and explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the pensions sector. The publication addresses critical topics including pensions dashboards, collective defined contribution schemes, SIPP rule changes, and the upcoming NMPA increase.

The EU's Cyber Resilience Act introduces mandatory cybersecurity reporting obligations for manufacturers of digital products starting September 2026, requiring notification of actively exploited vulnerabilities and severe incidents within strict timeframes. Companies must establish procedures to identify and report security events to national Computer Security Incident Response Teams, with potential fines reaching €15 million or 2.5% of global turnover for non-compliance.

TLT's AI Brief for September examines the growing pressure on accountability and disclosure in artificial intelligence, covering new regulatory consultations, landmark legal statements on AI liability...

The UK Government has announced plans to ban social media platforms from offering services to children under 16, marking a significant escalation in the country's approach to children's online safety. The proposal extends beyond a blanket ban to target harmful functionality including livestreaming and certain messaging features, with platforms expected to implement robust age assurance measures and demonstrate effective compliance with child safety requirements. Organisations operating in-scope services fac

A recent case from the EPO’s Boards of Appeal (T 0847/14) provides a useful reminder of the importance of preparing an appropriate claim set for computer modelling inventions.

The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) recently published its ‘Curate – Demand Connections Reform’ consultation, setting out proposals to reshape how data centre projects access and hold positions in the UK's electricity grid connection queue.