United Kingdom: Privacy

The UK government plans to introduce a comprehensive ban on social media access for children under 16, expanding beyond Australia's approach to include restrictions on harmful functions like livestreaming and stranger communication. Building on the Online Safety Act 2023, the ban will require highly effective age assurance measures and place enforcement responsibility with Ofcom, though early research from Australia suggests implementation challenges ahead.

The distinction between data controllers and processors under data protection law is becoming increasingly problematic in the age of AI and new technologies. Courts and regulators are trending toward finding parties to be controllers rather than processors to ensure individual protection, creating significant legal and reputational risks for organizations that fail to carefully analyze their true role in data processing relationships.

Employers should review their existing processes for handling data protection complaints in the light of new requirements in force from 19 June 2026.

The internet has transformed modern life drastically and plays an important role in communication and access to information.

Employers should review their existing processes for handling data protection complaints in the light of new requirements in force from 19 June 2026.

Lewis Silkin's International Privacy Series explores Brazil's LGPD data protection framework and its implications for UK and EU businesses entering Latin America's largest digital market. The episode examines how Brazil's privacy regime compares to GDPR, the significance of the new EU-Brazil adequacy decision, and the regulatory landscape shaped by the increasingly assertive ANPD.