Few policy areas fit neatly within the remit of one regulatory authority or government department. Online advertising is no different. Earlier this year, we evaluated proposals by DCMS and the UK’s competition regulator to regulate digital marketing. Building on this jigsaw of stakeholders, we examine the latest strategies developed by another critical policymaking actor - the Advertising Standards Authority – and its recent efforts to defend what was historically its territory.
Megan Stagman

Recent Posts
What’s next for the digital marketing sector, post-GDPR?
Written by Megan Stagman on 09 Sep 2020
Even with the UK’s digital marketing sector still grappling with the aftershocks of GDPR implementation in 2018, further regulation has been brewing over recent months. The UK Government undertook a consultation on online advertising earlier this year, which it is expected to respond to imminently with new policies in mind. Indeed, it seems if not 2020, then 2021 might be the next watershed moment for the industry. Drawing from recent developments over this summer - including the latest proposals of the Competition and Markets Authority, and the evaluation of the current framework in a DCMS-commissioned study – this blog post will map out what this new wave of regulation might look like.
Government must take a holistic view of XR beyond just gaming
Written by Megan Stagman on 24 Jun 2020
The Government responded earlier this month to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Select Committee’s recommendations on ‘immersive and addictive technologies’. While it establishes a commitment to proportionate and enabling regulations for the virtual (VR) and augmented reality (AR) industry, both the Committee and the Government miss a trick by failing to see beyond initial gaming applications. Greater understanding of the broad scope that the technology potentially offers will be critical if the UK is to sustain its status as a leader in the space.
The geopolitics of standards-setting
Written by Megan Stagman on 11 Feb 2020
The grand-scale struggles of power between international superpowers might appear a far cry from the everyday business of a technology company. However, in reality, geopolitics has very tangible implications for corporates within the tech sector, and the tug of war taking place over the direction of industry standards is a prime example.
The race for regulating facial recognition technology
Written by Megan Stagman on 16 Oct 2019
Facial recognition technology is controversial amongst consumers, and a lack of clear rules about how to apply it has caused concerns amongst both the public and regulators. However, the benefits in certain contexts are there for all to see, and the race is on between business and lawmakers to shape the regulatory landscape.
Cutting through the noise: how to regulate for subjective issues
Written by Megan Stagman on 06 Aug 2019
In recent years, the regulation of policy areas like privacy, genetically modified foods and pollution has shown that different countries can take wildly divergent approaches. The regulation of noise is a similarly subjective issue of great relevance to the emerging tech of electric vehicles and drones, in particular.
The intertwined futures of 5G and Augmented Reality
Written by Megan Stagman on 08 May 2019
While there has been no shortage of political attention paid to the development of 5G mobile networks, a significant proportion of the UK public remain unconvinced of the benefits. Could Augmented Reality (AR) be the 'killer app' to drive 5G adoption?
Immersive Technology: the policy challenge to come
Written by Megan Stagman on 10 Apr 2019
With immersive technology increasingly being used across a wide range of industries, our new report assesses the policy questions that will inevitably arise as what was previously a high-tech novelty becomes mainstream.
MPs examine impact and potential of immersive tech
Written by Megan Stagman on 15 Feb 2019
In the latest sign of ramping up political interest in immersive technologies, the House of Common's Digital Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) Select Committee has announced an inquiry dedicated to finding out more about the sector, and determining possible avenues for future regulation.
Saving lives and saving money - how public sector drone use is taking off
Written by Megan Stagman on 10 Jan 2019
The many and varied ways in which drones have already been deployed to aid the public sector are often overlooked. Some of the most significant examples include emergency services, environmental monitoring and protection, and infrastructure maintenance and inspection.
How UK Government is helping virtual and augmented reality flourish
Written by Megan Stagman on 24 Oct 2018
The UK Government has positioned itself an avid supporter of the immersive tech sector. It is nurturing the fledgling domestic industry through a range of mechanisms, including funding, tax incentives, mentorship and practical support.
Will the new Secretary of State for Digital be good or bad news for tech?
Written by Megan Stagman on 24 Jul 2018
Jeremy Wright MP has big shoes to fill, succeeding an unquestionably pro-technology Secretary of State for Digital, but might his lack of previous interest in the sector actually be a good thing for the tech industry?
Emerging from the smoke – Vaping as disruptive innovation
Written by Megan Stagman on 15 May 2018
In a modern world that is churning out technological innovations in sectors that did not even exist 20 years ago, many people will have common conceptions of what constitutes ‘disruptive technology’: the rise of robots, smart cities and self-driving cars. And yet, equally disruptive are the technologies that are developing within sectors that have prospered for centuries.