Blog
14 Maternity Trusts to be Scrutinised as Part of National Investigation
Kirsty Allen
19 March 2024
First cyber-flashing conviction under the Online Safety Act 2023
In a landmark case, Nicholas Hawkes, from Basildon, Essex, has become the first person to be convicted and imprisoned in England and Wales for the criminal offence of cyber-flashing. This historic verdict marks a significant moment in the life of the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA), which aims to combat digital harassment and safeguard online communities.
31 January 2024
Policing the metaverse: the reality of virtual sexual offences
The police are undertaking the first reported investigation into a “virtual rape”, which is said to have taken place in the metaverse. This case brings to the forefront a number of questions around the adequacy of the UK’s current legislation surrounding sexual offences, and whether it can cater to behaviours taking place in the metaverse.
25 January 2024
Criminal offences in the Online Safety Act 2023
The Online Safety Act 2023 (the Act) has the potential to dramatically change the online safety landscape in the UK, although it remains to be seen how the legislation fares in delivering the government’s manifesto commitment “to make the UK the safest place in the world to be online while defending free expression”.
20 November 2023
The UK-US Data Bridge: A Shift in Transatlantic Data Sharing
On 12 October 2023, the UK-US Data Bridge (the “Data Bridge”) came into force, transforming the way both nations handle the flow of information across their borders. In this blog we explore the position before and after the introduction of the Data Bridge, looking at the key implications, benefits and challenges associated with the transatlantic data-sharing initiative.
16 November 2023
Is your online business caught by the Online Safety Act?
The Online Safety Bill recently received Royal Assent and became law in October this year (the “Act”), at which point the Office of Communications (“Ofcom”) was granted broad powers to regulate online service providers. Essential detail concerning the legislative framework within the Act will be disclosed in the course of consultation and stakeholder engagement concerning the secondary legislation, codes of practice and guidance which will underpin the Act.