The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (DMCC) Act establishes a new regime for digital competition in the UK. The Act also updates the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) powers to enforce existing competition law and resolve consumer disputes, and protects consumers from unfair commercial, subscription, prepayment and saving schemes. The Act received royal assent on 24 May. In this blog, we discuss the new ex-ante competition regime established by the Act and what companies should expect as the CMA begins to enforce the legislation. The blog examines how the UK general election might influence the enforcement timeline.
The DMCC: balancing fair competition and economic competitiveness
Written by Inline Policy on 15 Jun 2023
In this blog, Inline looks at the details of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill, what it means for businesses, and the debate surrounding the draft legislation.
The state of UK tech policy in London Tech Week 2023
Written by Mitali Sud on 12 Jun 2023
As London Tech Week gets going, we take a look at the key debates in UK tech policy and recap where all of the major new regulatory proposals have got to.
What the UK's Autumn Statement means for the tech sector
Written by Matthew Niblett on 17 Nov 2022
Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt has published his Autumn Statement, outlining the UK Government’s fiscal policies for the next five years. The statement includes a number of measures of interest for the tech sector, which we summarise below.
What will Rishi Sunak’s premiership mean for UK tech policy?
Written by Pia Doering on 25 Oct 2022
Once again, the UK has a new Prime Minister. What does this further leadership change mean for the UK’s tech ecosystem and regulatory environment? In this blog, Inline Policy illuminates where a Rishi Sunak premiership could land on issues such as digital competition, data protection, online safety, net zero, artificial intelligence, innovation, and foreign relations.
Digital Markets Act: EU closes in on Big Tech
Written by Shane Cumberton on 12 Oct 2022
The European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) is set to establish a concrete list of dos and don’ts for the world’s biggest digital platforms when operating in the EU. These include hitherto absent ‘ex ante’ regulations to provide more fairness in the area of antitrust issues. Quite simply, the DMA aims to level the digital market’s playing field to ensure that smaller firms can operate under fairer competition.
America and Europe remain far apart on Big Tech Regulation
Written by Shane Cumberton on 24 May 2022
Last week, EU and US policymakers met in Paris to discuss trade and technology related issues. Despite some progress on Russia, trade, and sustainability, the two sides remain far apart on the question of how to regulate Big Tech.
Who are the UK's digital regulators?
Written by Matthew Niblett on 10 Mar 2022
Inline’s previous blog explored the UK Government’s aspirations for the technology and digital sectors and its legislative plans to make the UK a global leader in the space. In this blog, we look at the organisations responsible for regulating the UK’s tech sector, focusing on their powers and for which areas they have responsibility. We highlight some of the regulatory issues that these regulators are dealing with and which we advise tech companies should monitor.
Eight steps the Government is taking to turn the UK into a global services, digital and data hub
Written by Inline Policy on 03 Mar 2022
With the terms of the UK’s exit from the EU largely settled, the UK Government has begun to turn its attention to what it wishes to do with the powers that have been repatriated from the European Union. This blog explores the Government’s aspirations for the technology and digital sectors and its legislative plans to make the UK a global leader in this area.
Five things to know about the European Competition Toolbox
Written by Inline Policy on 21 Sep 2020
An evergreen priority for the European Commission, competition policy has shifted into the active stages of policymaking. It is at the top of many agendas, and the globally interconnected tech sector is increasingly a priority in competition regulation. Here are five aspects of competition reform to watch right now.
1. Priorities of a new European Commission...
The politicisation of technology regulation: four drivers that will shape 2020
Written by Inline Policy on 16 Jan 2020
As Europe begins the year in a state of relative stability with the EU Commission firmly in place as well as new governments in the UK and Spain, all eyes are on how policymakers will now respond to popular demand for changes to our liberal order. The tech sector could be in for a rough ride.
EU elections 2019 - the results and implications for the tech sector
Written by Inline Policy on 27 May 2019
The 2019 European elections mark a pivotal movement for the European Union and the tech sector. Download Inline's free guide to the election results and the implications for the tech sector.
EU elections 2019: The MEP candidates who matter for the tech sector
Written by Inline Policy on 22 May 2019
The European Parliamentary elections taking place on 23-26 May 2019 will be the most significant yet for the tech sector. Ahead of the poll, we have produced a short guide to the key MEP candidates to watch when it comes to the big issues for the tech sector and the broader digital economy.
The political agendas driving reform of competition policy
Written by Inline Policy on 29 Apr 2019
A new report by the European Commission sets out recommendations for how EU competition policy should be reformed, drawing on concerns of Governments and senior politicians. With the debate moving beyond economic theory to become increasingly political, it’s one that all companies in the tech sector will need to keep an eye on.
Launching Inline's new Data Policy Tracker
Written by Inline Policy on 15 Apr 2019
In the first of our new regular Data Policy Trackers we cover the key political and regulatory changes, trends and developments impacting the data sector.
Is Europe offering a Third Way in technology regulation?
Written by Inline Policy on 19 Feb 2019
Rapid technological transformations driven by US and Chinese companies are posing a serious challenge to Europe's policymakers. Third way politics looks set to shape much of the regulatory response.
What does the future hold for Europe’s e-commerce platforms?
Written by Shomik Panda on 08 Feb 2019
Inline Policy's Founder Shomik Panda interviewed Richard Stables, the CEO of e-commerce, advertising and price comparison business Kelkoo Group about how e-commerce is changing, the challenges for regulators and the need for a level playing field.
2019 will be a critical year for online platforms in Europe
Written by Inline Policy on 31 Jan 2019
The coming year is set to be an important period for online platforms in Europe. Having previously paid little regard to online platforms, EU policymakers are now laying the foundations for a more definitive approach to regulating this growing sector of the economy.
Competition between EV charging firms gets political
Written by Inline Policy on 03 Jan 2019
Today’s Financial Times reports on the developing conflict between UK electric vehicle charging market leader Ecotricity and its competitors. This points to a significant challenge for the Government’s efforts to establish a reliable national network of charging points that can underpin consumer confidence to switch away from petrol and diesel.
Political pressure builds for reform of EU competition policy
Written by Inline Policy on 14 Nov 2018
Governments and regulators are actively considering how competition policy should respond to the growth of the digital economy. A forthcoming report from the European Parliament provides an insight into the state of the debate in Brussels.