Inline Insights

The UK’s fast approaching elections will have major ramifications for businesses, citizens and Britain’s relationship with the rest of the world. Our one-page guide summarises where each of the major parties stands on the most important policy issues for the tech sector.

The December 2019 General election will be the fourth election or referendum to take place in the UK in the past five years. Yet despite the unusual timing and general voter fatigue, the stage is set for a high-stake drama: voters are given a last chance to determine whether Brexit ‘gets done’ under UK Prime Minister Johnson’s (Conservative) terms or if a change in direction is warranted.

As Mobility-as-a-Service increasingly grabs the attention of policymakers and businesses alike, Inline’s new report looks at the MaaS policy challenges across Europe, and what regulators are doing to address those questions.

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.

This week's top three: Uber gets two more months in London; Paris e-scooter backlash continues apace; Labour promises "people's Zipcar".

This week's top three: Estonia becomes the latest European country to legislate for e-scooters, Spanish taxi union goes after ride hailing employment model in the courts, and Berlin police publish e-scooter accident stats.

This week's top three: On demand transport benefits from massive Paris strike; Porto seeks to learn lessons from Lisbon's "jungle" e-scooters regulations; and Munich taxi drivers call for ride hailing clampdown

The European Parliament has resumed its work after the summer break and the 2019-2024 term will include a range of policy areas impacting the digital economy. Download Inline Policy's free updated guide to the new Parliament and the people and issues matter for the tech sector.

This week's top three: Ireland considers age limits and maximum speed for e-scooters; Under 18s and non-drivers to be banned from using e-scooters in Malta; and German Environment Agency says scooters can replace cars in suburbs.

This week's top three: Milan paves way for introduction of e-scooters; new figures show ride hailing on the rise in Spain; and Romania to update road regulations to include e-scooters.

This week's top three: New European mobility regulations proposed; UK Government vehicles should be used for car sharing, says report; and Barcelona to issue tender for e-bikes and scooters "soon"

This week's top three: Berlin authorities press e-scooter operators with voluntary agreements; City of Madrid looks to significantly deregulate taxis; and Brussels Regional transport authority calls on cities to designate no e-scooter zones.

Over the last two years ride hailing policy in Spain has been mired in conflict between the industry, taxi drivers, national government, local governments and competition authorities. Rules have been changed, challenged, revised and devolved, leaving a fragmented system that does not work well for any of the stakeholders.

This week's top three: Spanish competition watchdog sues Barcelona over its ride hailing regulations; German cities call for more control over e-scooters; and taxi drivers urge Prime Minister to introduce ride hailing cap in London

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.