IT legislation and regulation
Understanding the law as it applies to IT management can be one of the hardest task for IT leaders, but the growing burden of regulatory compliance makes it essential. Legislation and regulation affects enterprise IT in many ways, not just in long-standing tasks such as contracts and software licensing. We examine the latest legal development and how they affect IT managers, and talk to the experts in IT legislation and regulation to explain what it means to your organisation.
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News
30 Apr 2025
FCA wants ‘safe place’ for finance firms to test artificial intelligence
Financial services regulator proposes artificial intelligence testing environment as part of its AI Lab Continue Reading
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News
30 Apr 2025
Artificial intelligence roles the ‘only safe jobs in banking’
World’s biggest banks have increased the number of employees working with artificial intelligence by 13% in the past six months Continue Reading
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News
22 Mar 2021
CIO interview: Juliette Atkinson, IT director, Bradford University
Bradford University’s IT director took a different route than most to get into IT leadership Continue Reading
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News
19 Mar 2021
UK government aims to get national broadband project back on track with Project Gigabit
First areas revealed in £5bn government scheme to deliver gigabit broadband connections to help recovery from the pandemic, achieve growth and levelling up Continue Reading
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News
18 Mar 2021
Ofcom revamps wholesale broadband rules to ramp up full-fibre roll-out
UK comms regulator announces new guidelines for the UK wholesale telecoms market, with the principal aim to drive investment in fibre gigabit services and support the closure of the UK’s copper network Continue Reading
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News
18 Mar 2021
Vaccine passports cannot put basic rights at risk, warns BCS
BCS warns of challenges to come as the government presses on with its plans for Covid-19 vaccine passports Continue Reading
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News
17 Mar 2021
Ofcom raises £1.356bn in principal stage of new 5G spectrum auction
After announcing their plans to extend and improve basic 4G connectivity around the country, the UK’s mobile operators are celebrating their principal gains in the 5G arena with low-band and mid-band spectrum Continue Reading
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News
17 Mar 2021
Cyber sector welcomes PM’s defence review
Security commentators approve of measures to improve the UK’s cyber resilience, strengthen its R&D and skills base, lead on the development of new technology and promote a free, open, peaceful and secure global internet Continue Reading
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News
16 Mar 2021
Banks still lack tech skills at the top
Banks have made progress in adding IT knowledge in their boardrooms, but they need more as digital transformation accelerates Continue Reading
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News
16 Mar 2021
Government calls for input into Covid-19 vaccine passports
Evidence gathering exercise will inform the development of the UK’s proposed Covid-19 vaccine passport scheme Continue Reading
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News
15 Mar 2021
UK plans ‘full spectrum’ approach to national cyber security
PM Boris Johnson expands on proposed National Cyber Force and plans to set up a north of England Cyber Corridor Continue Reading
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News
15 Mar 2021
IR35 private sector reforms: IPSE warns of UK contracting talent exodus unless start date delayed
Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed research into what contractors plan to do once the IR35 reforms come into play highlights growing risk of talent shortages Continue Reading
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News
12 Mar 2021
IR35 private sector reforms: IT contractors ‘growing reluctant’ to work for ‘blanket banning’ firms
IT-focused staffing company Ellis Recruitment Group shares its take on how the contracting market is responding to the private sector firms enforcing blanket bans Continue Reading
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Opinion
12 Mar 2021
Security Think Tank: US security efforts may centre on collaboration
As US president Joe Biden sets out his agenda for the next four years, we consider the opportunities for renewed international collaboration on cyber security, what aspects of cyber Biden should focus on, and ask how the industry can make its voice heard Continue Reading
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News
11 Mar 2021
UK digital regulators set out plans to strengthen cooperation
Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum outlines plans for the coming year, marking a shift towards a more collaborative regulatory approach Continue Reading
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News
11 Mar 2021
Attack on surveillance cameras a warning over security, ethics
The attack on a video surveillance startup by a hacktivist group raises questions not just over cyber security, but the use and extent of surveillance technology Continue Reading
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E-Zine
11 Mar 2021
CW Europe: Nordic tech startups create blueprint for post-Covid working environment
Business can learn lessons from Nordic tech startups to prepare employees to return to the office after Covid restrictions end. Also read why Netherlands police need a training ‘roadmap’ to get them up to speed to tackle cyber crime. Continue Reading
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News
10 Mar 2021
Met Police chooses Capgemini as strategic IT infrastructure services provider
Capgemini has a history of providing the force with day-to-day technology services, and will now deliver its infrastructure services under the Pegasus programme Continue Reading
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News
10 Mar 2021
Government’s refusal of freedom of information request about Post Office scandal ‘deeply concerning’
MP condemns department’s ‘bizarre’ rejection of freedom of information request linked to Post Office IT scandal Continue Reading
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News
10 Mar 2021
Police crack world’s largest cryptophone network as criminals swap EncroChat for Sky ECC
Belgian and Dutch police have breached the encryption of users of Sky ECC, the world’s largest cryptophone network. There are significant parallels with the international police operation against the EncroChat cryptophone network which led to hundreds of arrests Continue Reading
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News
09 Mar 2021
Belgian police raid 200 premises in drug operation linked to breach of encrypted phone network
More than 1,600 police and law enforcement officials conduct drug raids after the compromise of an encrypted mobile phone network that has parallels with EncroChat Continue Reading
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News
09 Mar 2021
EBA restores services after Microsoft Exchange attack
European Banking Authority was breached through vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server, but is now back online Continue Reading
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News
08 Mar 2021
US teases retaliation over state-backed cyber attacks
Consequences for alleged perpetrators of the SolarWinds attack are expected within the next few weeks Continue Reading
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News
05 Mar 2021
Affordable legal advice for all – from a robot
Artificial intelligence project strives to make legal advice affordable to the whole of society Continue Reading
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News
05 Mar 2021
Innovation underpinned by trustworthy governance, says CDEI
Public support for greater use of digital technologies such as AI depends on how much trust people have in its governance, says report Continue Reading
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News
04 Mar 2021
IR35 private sector reforms: HMRC under fire over ‘omission’ of employers’ NI from webinar guidance
HM Revenue & Customs confirms it has corrected a calculation error in a recent educational IR35 webinar that saw it fail to factor in employers’ NI in examples of how payments should be made between end-clients, agencies and PSCs post-April 2021 Continue Reading
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News
04 Mar 2021
UK contactless payment limit more than doubled
UK increases the amount that can be spent in one go using a contactless payments card to £100 Continue Reading
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News
03 Mar 2021
IR35 private sector reforms: Hays calls on Treasury to delay April 2021 start date by a year
UK and Ireland managing director of recruitment giant Hays writes to HM Treasury to demand a delay and review of the government’s plans to roll out the IR35 reforms to the private sector from April 2021 Continue Reading
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News
02 Mar 2021
EU seeking pan-European Covid-19 passport solution
The European Union’s proposal could see the creation of a Covid-19 vaccine passport to enable travel across the EU Continue Reading
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News
02 Mar 2021
Goldman Sachs CEO comments highlight need for home working balance
The remote working revolution has been prominent in the banking sector and organisations have a balancing act to perform once the pandemic passes Continue Reading
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News
01 Mar 2021
Digital secretary Dowden outlines UK post-Brexit data approach
The UK government is searching for a new information commissioner with an updated remit to use data to support growth and innovation, and plans on reaching new international data partnerships Continue Reading
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News
01 Mar 2021
Covid accelerates Bradford University remote working project
Pandemic injected fuel into university’s existing project to introduce remote working Continue Reading
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News
01 Mar 2021
What it means to be born digital
We speak to Robert Wigley about his new book, Born Digital, which looks at the societal impact of Generation Z Continue Reading
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News
01 Mar 2021
IR35 private sector reforms: Royal Mail contractors ‘frustrated’ by tax status test regime
Royal Mail contractors are ‘frustrated’ by the lack of transparency over their changing tax status, as the company confirms it is moving those ‘likely to be’ inside IR35 onto PAYE working arrangements Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Mar 2021
The driving force behind the EU colocation market’s climate-neutral push
Colocation and hyperscale datacentre providers across Europe are under pressure from governments, regulators and the user community to curb carbon emissions Continue Reading
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News
26 Feb 2021
IR35 private sector reforms: Argos to offshore work of digital team in Milton Keynes to Mumbai
Retailer Argos confirms it has ‘identified opportunities’ to offshore tasks performed by its digital team, while its IR35 compliance strategy has seen the majority of contractors declared in-scope of the new rules, sources claim Continue Reading
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News
25 Feb 2021
IR35 private sector reforms: Contractors call for further delays to April 2021 start date
Research by the online tax consultancy arm of Ernst & Young reveals lack of preparedness among contractors for the onset of the IR35 tax avoidance reforms in the private sector Continue Reading
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News
25 Feb 2021
GCHQ sets out rules of the road for AI in cyber
A paper produced by GCHQ shows how the intelligence agency can use artificial intelligence responsibly as a tool to protect the UK’s national security Continue Reading
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News
25 Feb 2021
Npower shuts off app after credential stuffing attack
Npower customers will have to log in to their accounts on its website after its app was withdrawn following a security breach Continue Reading
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News
25 Feb 2021
Tech-enabled hybrid working enables HSBC to cut 40% of its global office space
Bank is making huge reductions in the amount of office space it uses through a global hybrid-working policy Continue Reading
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News
25 Feb 2021
MHRA and other agencies to offer new resources for scam victims
New landing page resources will replace .uk domains suspended for criminal activity to help members of the public access appropriate guidance Continue Reading
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News
25 Feb 2021
IR35 private sector reforms: What IT contractors need to know
Computer Weekly asks contracting experts to answer questions about PSC bans, compliant umbrella companies and challenging status determinations, with the latest IR35 reforms coming into place Continue Reading
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News
24 Feb 2021
Internet companies should provide real-time data on disinformation, Lords told
Fact-checking experts tell House of Lords inquiry that upcoming Online Safety Bill should force internet companies to provide real-time information on suspected disinformation, and warn against over-reliance on AI-powered algorithms to moderate content Continue Reading
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News
24 Feb 2021
Businesses forced to ask IT service providers for help during pandemic
IT service providers have been approached by long-time enterprise customers asking for price cuts due to the impact of the pandemic Continue Reading
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Podcast
23 Feb 2021
Post Office Horizon and the subpostmasters’ justice fight – Computer Weekly Downtime Upload podcast
In this episode of the Computer Weekly Downtime Upload podcast, Karl Flinders joins Caroline Donnelly, Clare McDonald, and Brian McKenna to discuss the Post Office Horizon system that brought havoc to the lives of subpostmasters and subpostmistresses Continue Reading
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News
23 Feb 2021
Tech worker-centric umbrella company launches to target IT contractors 'displaced' by IR35
As the number of private sector firms enforcing blanket bans on contractors grows, Techcentre Umbrella is offering IT workers ‘displaced’ by the reforms a safe haven, claims its founder Continue Reading
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News
23 Feb 2021
AI powers reputational damage insurance policy
Reputational damage has an immediate impact on a company’s share price, and brand loyalty built over many years can be lost in an instant Continue Reading
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News
22 Feb 2021
Malaysia government intervenes to drive 5G forward
The government of Malaysia pledges to spend 15bn ringgit to set up an entity that would be granted spectrum and operational scope to manage 5G roll-outs Continue Reading
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News
22 Feb 2021
Pandemic has exposed fractures in cyber fraud strategy
RUSI report urges a bolder and more coordinated response to cyber-enabled fraud as the pandemic lays bear the scale of the problem Continue Reading
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News
19 Feb 2021
European Commission proposes UK data adequacy agreement
The publication of two draft data adequacy decisions brings the UK closer to a final positive decision, which will enable the continued free flow of data between the EU and the UK if green-lit by member states Continue Reading
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News
19 Feb 2021
NCSC cyber defence scheme blocked thousands of scams in 2019
The NCSC has reported another productive year for its Active Cyber Defence programme Continue Reading
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News
19 Feb 2021
Uber drivers should be classified as ‘workers’, UK Supreme Court confirms
Supreme Court ruling brings Uber’s four-year legal battle to have its drivers classified as self-employed to an end, and could see its drivers in line to receive thousands of pounds in compensation Continue Reading
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News
19 Feb 2021
Biden will act on cyber security to fix SolarWinds mess
US will take action to modernise its defences in the wake of the SolarWinds attack, says US government cyber lead Anne Neuberger Continue Reading
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News
18 Feb 2021
Swedish police fined for unlawful use of facial-recognition app
Sweden’s data watchdog has found that Swedish police failed to conduct the data protection checks required by law before using controversial facial-recognition tool Continue Reading
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News
18 Feb 2021
HMRC accused of 'utter hypocrisy' over use of IT contractors enrolled in tax avoidance schemes
Campaign group calls for HMRC to face an investigation, while accusing the department of ‘utter hypocrisy’ for using IT contractors enrolled in disguised remuneration schemes Continue Reading
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News
18 Feb 2021
Assessing UK law enforcement data adequacy
Data protection experts discuss the consequences of achieving data adequacy between the UK and EU for the UK’s intelligence services and criminal justice sector Continue Reading
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News
17 Feb 2021
North Korean Lazarus Group hackers indicted in US
Charges filed relate to Lazarus Group’s long-running cyber crime spree, including financial theft and extortion, WannaCry malware and the cyber attack on Sony Pictures Continue Reading
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Opinion
17 Feb 2021
Vaccine passports highlight social impact of systems design
Vaccine or immunity passports are an opportunity to advance the design of trustworthy digital systems, but much more work still needs to be done Continue Reading
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News
17 Feb 2021
Egregor ransomware arrests confirmed
Authorities confirm that they have arrested an undisclosed number of cyber criminals associated with the Egregor ransomware Continue Reading
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News
17 Feb 2021
HMRC denies misleading House of Lords over IT contractors’ use of tax avoidance schemes
MPs from Loan Charge All-Party Parliamentary Group write to HMRC CEO Jim Harra to demand the department be investigated for breaching the civil service code Continue Reading
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News
17 Feb 2021
Swedish central bank extends digital currency project
Sweden's central bank has extended its pilot of a digital currency for at least another year Continue Reading
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News
17 Feb 2021
Law firm and cyber criminals clash over source of stolen data
Cyber attack victim Jones Day says its data was stolen in a supply chain attack, but the gang holding it to ransom disagrees Continue Reading
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News
16 Feb 2021
Qatar regulator launches platform to monitor human understanding of financial crime
Qatari financial services regulator works with global body to provide digital platform to assess whether financial services workers understand how to prevent financial crime Continue Reading
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News
16 Feb 2021
Egregor ransomware associates arrested amid disruption
Undisclosed number of arrests made in Ukraine after investigators tracked bitcoin ransom payments Continue Reading
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News
16 Feb 2021
IR35 private sector reforms: HMRC reminds firms to use ‘reasonable care’ when applying new tax rules
As the countdown to the IR35 reforms being rolled out to the private sector continues apace, HM Revenue and Customs issues compliance guidance for firms in-scope of the new rules Continue Reading
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Opinion
16 Feb 2021
Security Think Tank: Towards a united state of security
As US president Joe Biden sets out his agenda for the next four years, we consider the opportunities for renewed international collaboration on cyber security, what aspects of cyber Biden should focus on, and ask how the industry can make its voice heard Continue Reading
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Opinion
15 Feb 2021
Security Think Tank: Renewed US stability may ease cyber tensions
As US president Joe Biden sets out his agenda for the next four years, we consider the opportunities for renewed international collaboration on cyber security, what aspects of cyber Biden should focus on, and ask how the industry can make its voice heard Continue Reading
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News
12 Feb 2021
University benefited from early virtual desktop investments when pandemic struck
Edinburgh Napier University was able to react quickly to some of the main challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic Continue Reading
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News
12 Feb 2021
UK border surveillance regime highly privatised, says Privacy International
Research from Privacy International raises concerns about the deep involvement of technology companies in the development and deployment of various technologies throughout the UK’s border regime, along with the lack of scrutiny they receive Continue Reading
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Opinion
12 Feb 2021
Security Think Tank: Biden must address insider security threat first
As US president Joe Biden sets out his agenda for the next four years, we consider the opportunities for renewed international collaboration on cyber security, what aspects of cyber Biden should focus on, and ask how the industry can make its voice heard Continue Reading
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News
11 Feb 2021
Hacked Finnish therapy business collapses
Vastaamo, the Finnish psychotherapy centre whose patients were blackmailed by a cyber criminal gang, has filed for bankruptcy Continue Reading
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News
11 Feb 2021
Goldman Sachs reopens UK digital savings account
US banking giant resumes online account for UK savers after temporarily withdrawing it in response to high demand Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Feb 2021
Is it time to ban ransomware insurance payments?
The former head of the NCSC recently called for a dialogue over whether or not it is time to ban insurers from covering ransomware payments. Is he on the right track? Continue Reading
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E-Zine
11 Feb 2021
CW Benelux: Is reluctance to report cyber crimes in the Netherlands helping the criminals get away?
According to an academic study in the Netherlands, only one in seven Dutch people report a cyber crime to the police when it happens - feeling it is better to sort the problem out themselves because they don’t think the police will do anything. This is storing up trouble as cyber crime is an increasing problem in the country. Also in this issue, read why Dutch bank ABN Amro is selling its head office. Continue Reading
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Opinion
11 Feb 2021
Security Think Tank: Biden’s team can make a difference on security
As US president Joe Biden sets out his agenda for the next four years, we consider the opportunities for renewed international collaboration on cyber security, what aspects of cyber Biden should focus on, and ask how the industry can make its voice heard Continue Reading
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News
10 Feb 2021
Sim-swapping crooks targeted celebrities, influencers
Eight arrests have been made in England and Scotland in connection with a series of Sim-swapping attacks targeting high-profile victims Continue Reading
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News
10 Feb 2021
Tech sector calls for renewed cooperation in global digital tax talks
Industry groups want renewed multilateral negotiations between countries about taxation of the digital economy in the wake of Joe Biden’s election as US president Continue Reading
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Opinion
10 Feb 2021
Security Think Tank: UK well-placed to work with Biden on cyber
As US president Joe Biden sets out his agenda for the next four years, we consider the opportunities for renewed international collaboration on cyber security, what aspects of cyber Biden should focus on, and ask how the industry can make its voice heard Continue Reading
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News
09 Feb 2021
Oracle claims major win in Australian public sector
Australian Data Centres will deploy Oracle’s Dedicated Region Cloud@Customer to host cloud services for the federal government Continue Reading
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News
09 Feb 2021
Facebook sued for data-sharing practices with third parties
Data protection claim filed in London against social media giant for its alleged failure to give at least one million users in England and Wales meaningful control over their personal data Continue Reading
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News
09 Feb 2021
IR35 private sector reforms: Deloitte confirms post-April 2021 ban on PSCs
Consultancy giant confirms that contractors will only be able to engage with it via a third-party umbrella or employment agency after April 2021, as part of its IR35 compliance strategy Continue Reading
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Opinion
09 Feb 2021
Security Think Tank: Biden has a chance to renew cyber alliances
As President Joe Biden sets out his agenda for the next four years, we consider the opportunities for renewed international collaboration on cyber security, what aspects of cyber Biden should focus on, and ask how the industry can make its voice heard? Continue Reading
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News
08 Feb 2021
Get ready for fake work epidemic
Remote working has become a fact of life for many office-based workers during the pandemic, and there has also been a rise in remote staff monitoring Continue Reading
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News
08 Feb 2021
Data of thousands of Dutch citizens leaked from government Covid-19 systems
Weak access controls and outdated systems blamed for leaking of the personal details of thousands of Dutch citizens tested for Covid-19 Continue Reading
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News
08 Feb 2021
Sweden to establish national cyber security centre
Sweden becomes latest Nordic state to establish a national cyber security centre as the threat landscape grows Continue Reading
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News
05 Feb 2021
Security firm Stormshield loses source code in cyber attack
Source code from two products developed by French cyber security firm was compromised in a December 2020 incident Continue Reading
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News
05 Feb 2021
Denmark and Sweden to issue digital vaccine certificates
Sweden and Denmark announce plans to develop digital certificates that prove people have been vaccinated against Covid-19 Continue Reading
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News
04 Feb 2021
Woodland Trust hit by cyber attack in December
Conservation charity is investigating what it describes as a ‘sophisticated’ cyber attack but has waited nearly two months to inform its members Continue Reading
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News
04 Feb 2021
Fraud and cyber crime still vastly under-reported
The scale of digitally enabled crime in the UK is dramatically under-reported, new statistics indicate Continue Reading
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News
03 Feb 2021
Has Covid-19 made bank branch closures easier to sell?
Big banks continue to close branches and invest more in technology as the Covid-19 pandemic makes a case for digital banking Continue Reading
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News
02 Feb 2021
Nordic region provides autonomous vehicle test bed
Nordic region has the suppliers, environment and appetite for pioneering the development of autonomous vehicles Continue Reading
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News
01 Feb 2021
UKRI suspends services after ransomware attack
UK Research and Innovation was hit by an undisclosed strain of ransomware at the end of January Continue Reading
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News
01 Feb 2021
IR35 private sector reforms: Zurich Insurance under fire over contractor blanket ban
Zurich Insurance is the latest high-profile financial services company to declare contractors can only continue to engage with it via umbrella setups from April 2021, ahead of the IR35 rules coming into force Continue Reading
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News
29 Jan 2021
Hunting and anti-hunting groups locked in tit-for-tat row over data gathering
The leaking of internal documents has prompted a row between pro- and anti-hunting groups about the legality of the other’s data collection practices Continue Reading
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News
29 Jan 2021
Biometrics ethics group addresses public-private use of facial recognition
Home Office’s Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group releases briefing note on the use of live facial recognition in public–private collaborations following a year-long investigation Continue Reading
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News
28 Jan 2021
Contactless payment limit could rise to £100 as FCA seeks industry views
UK financial services regulator is considering raising the contactless card payment limit to £100 Continue Reading
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News
28 Jan 2021
UK government reviews law on access to land for digital infrastructure
Reacting to reports that agreements have been slow to conclude, holding up the roll-out of better mobile and broadband connectivity, UK government consults on changes to the legal framework for agreements on access to land for digital infrastructure Continue Reading
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News
27 Jan 2021
Pandemic response has improved privacy posture, says Cisco
Data privacy seems to be ‘coming of age’ to some extent and organisational responses to Covid-19 may be partly responsible, according to a report Continue Reading
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News
27 Jan 2021
Emotet botnet goes offline as cops seize servers
The Emotet botnet has been disrupted and knocked offline after a major international effort by law enforcement Continue Reading
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News
27 Jan 2021
Grindr complaint results in €9.6m GDPR fine
Norway’s data protection authority plans to apply a fine totalling 10% of LGBTQ+ dating app Grindr’s revenues over its data sharing practices Continue Reading
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News
26 Jan 2021
Conservatives broke data law to racially profile millions
The Conservative Party acted illegally in collecting data that inferred voters’ ethnicity and religious background, a Select Committee has heard Continue Reading
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News
26 Jan 2021
ICO extends commissioner Denham’s term of office
Extension of Elizabeth Denham’s tenure as information commissioner will give the government more time to appoint her successor Continue Reading