The old optimism about technology and its benefits has been replaced by an increasingly widespread perception amongst the public and policymakers that the technologies of the recent past may now be making things worse whilst those of the future pose ever greater threats to privacy and security. Such perceptions will undoubtedly lead to ever more political and regulatory hurdles, which means that it is more important than ever for tech companies to have the tools to navigate this environment and shape the debate. Here are seven ways a public affairs agency can help you do just that.
Recent Posts
7 ways tech firms can benefit from working with a public affairs agency
Written by Inline Policy on 26 Mar 2019
Europe's big tech tax: the latest proposals for a digital services tax
Written by Inline Policy on 11 Dec 2018
The EU’s Member States have failed to agree on the introduction of a tax on revenues from digital services. But pressure from the European Commission, European Parliament and EU citizens indicate that this is not an issue that is going to disappear any time soon.
An Introduction to the proposed 'Platform to Business' Regulation
Written by Inline Policy on 29 Nov 2018
What is the EU's new Platform-to-Business (P2B) regulation? With this short presentation, Inline Policy sheds the light on the proposed new European rules to govern the activity of intermediary online platforms, outlining their key provisions and the positons of the main EU institutions, as well as providing some insight on what is to be expected in the next upcoming months.
The EU Observatory on the Online Platform Economy: a talking shop or the beginnings of a new regulator?
Written by Inline Policy on 12 Oct 2018
Buried in the detail of a proposed Regulation from the European Commission was the establishment of an Observatory of the online platform economy. It has now been established and has a broad remit but little power, so far. Is this the foundation of a new EU regulator for online platforms?
What are the EU institutions doing to lead on Distributed Ledger Technology?
Written by Inline Policy on 06 Sep 2018
As Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) comes under increased scrutiny by European policymakers, Inline has created a guide to key developments on monitoring, research, infrastructure, and standards impacting the industry.
How WorkerTech is meeting the need for flexible support for the self-employed
Written by Inline Policy on 17 Aug 2018
As the number of self-employed people continues to rise in the UK, the need to provide support to this growing workforce is becoming increasingly important. But how can access to benefits and protections be improved, without relying on the incumbent employment relationships through which these are traditionally delivered? Emergent WorkerTech technology and applications may be part of the solution.
Digital agenda vs populist revolt: which call will Austria answer?
Written by Inline Policy on 05 Jun 2018
The world’s youngest leader, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, will take the helm of the Council of the EU in July and the headlines will be dominated by his plans to toughen EU immigration policy. Behind the scenes Austria’s Digital Minister, Margarete Schramböck, will be pushing ahead towards agreement on the Commission’s package of proposals in the digital sector.
What the UK Government's announcements mean for the Gig Economy
Written by Inline Policy on 08 Feb 2018
The UK Government has published its long-awaited response to the Taylor Review of Modern Working Practices.
What does the Industrial Strategy say about a low carbon strategy in the UK?
Written by Inline Policy on 09 Feb 2017
To a rather muted fanfare, the British Government published its industrial strategy green paper last month. As far as the energy and climate change audience were concerned, in the run-up to the publication of the strategy, the Business Energy and Industrial Strategy Department (BEIS) – a department still in its infancy - was essentially facing two challenges:
17 for ’17: Climate and energy policy issues to track in 2017
Written by Inline Policy on 16 Jan 2017
The energy sector – driven by climate policies and regulation and the technology revolution – is undergoing a transformation. As Fatih Birol, the IEA's Executive Director, said in introducing the IEA’s annual World Energy Outlook in November 2017: “…there is no single story about the future of global energy…”
Full steam ahead for the EU in 2017 on Banking Regulation and Capital Markets Union
Written by Inline Policy on 19 Dec 2016
2017 is set to be a year of acceleration in the pace of regulation of the financial services sector at global and European levels. The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) is making steady progress on plans including a leverage ratio surcharge for global systemically important institutions (G-SIIs).
The international climate change agenda: prospects going into 2017
Written by Inline Policy on 22 Nov 2016
2016 has built on the momentum of the Paris Agreement. But the election of Donald Trump in the US has placed question-marks over whether this momentum can be maintained, or if recent progress will be derailed. At the conclusion of COP 22 in Marrakesh, this analysis piece considers the state-of-play and the prospects for 2017.
Does the global aviation emissions agreement sustain the momentum of the Paris agreement? Or does it detract from it?
Written by Inline Policy on 20 Oct 2016
On 6 October, a new acronym was introduced to the world of aviation and climate change. CORSIA – the Carbon Offset and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation – is the outcome of what many in the aviation industry have described as an “historic agreement” to tackle the burgeoning problem of aviation emissions.
Article 50 notification: much needed clarity or pathway to harder Brexit?
Written by Inline Policy on 04 Oct 2016
The clamour for clarity from the Government on its Brexit intentions has finally produced two important announcements from the Prime Minister and senior Cabinet Ministers at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham:
eSports gambling – regulators take a closer look
Written by Inline Policy on 24 Aug 2016
The prospect of video gamers becoming paid professionals, and people placing bets on the outcome of contests, would have seemed unthinkable a few years ago.
Energy storage technologies – will they be able to flourish within current regulatory frameworks?
Written by Inline Policy on 03 Aug 2016
The concept of energy storage is not new. However, technology advancements and the increased sense of urgency in relation to decarbonisation have gradually drawn attention to the possibilities of storage.
Natural Capital’s future in UK policy after Brexit and the Protocol
Written by Inline Policy on 27 Jul 2016
Natural capital — a term for the earth’s natural resources and support systems that benefit human society — is the underlying focus of our environmental laws and policies. The Clean Air and (Clean) Water Acts of the US and UK are two aptly-named examples of previous policies designed to protect natural resources.
Membership vs access: Why words have meaning for the future of UK financial services and the Single Market
Written by Inline Policy on 26 Jul 2016
Some of the UK political instability following the EU Referendum in June is beginning to dissipate. A new Prime Minister, reshuffled Ministerial teams, and reshaped Government machinery are in place. A timetable of sorts for the next steps is beginning to form, ie. no triggering of Article 50 to commence the departure negotiations, during this calendar year, but likely early in 2017. What is still concealed in opacity is any inkling of what the UK position might be in the parallel discussions on a future economic and co-operative relationship with the EU.
Robots and liability issues: the future regulatory framework
Written by Inline Policy on 30 Jun 2016
Robots are rapidly gaining public visibility as their development accelerates in conjunction with recent innovations in the domains of artificial intelligence, machine learning, machine-to-machine and machine-to-human interaction.
Brexit - Implications, what happens next and business considerations
Written by Inline Policy on 27 Jun 2016
Events have moved very quickly over the weekend, and the timeline for events post the UK referendum on the EU is becoming clearer, if not yet the future scope of UK-EU relations or the eventual implications for politics, economy and business.