Since the end of 2018, several governments around the world have put forward proposals for the introduction of a digital service tax in their respective countries. As digital services change the nature of business, governments see the tax as a way to overcome the challenges that these digital businesses create for the international corporate tax system.
UK Government aims to lead efforts in tackling online harm
The UK Government recently published a white paper with a broad set of proposals to tackle online harm. These include a new regulatory framework, to establish a duty of care for online companies for the first time, and the set-up of a specific regulator to enforce the new rules.
Even a more privacy-focused Facebook will face regulatory hurdles
The note published by Mark Zuckerberg on 6 March 2019 sets out the new approach Facebook aims to take for its communications services. It will be more focused on privacy and less on public sharing compared to the past, reflecting on new demands of the market and taking on board some of the lessons of the past.
The Fake News inquiry is over, but there’s no legislation in sight
The Committee for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport of the UK Parliament (DCMS Committee) has now completed its inquiry into Fake News, which lasted throughout 2018. The inquiry started as an investigation on the spread of disinformation and its role in influencing elections, and soon turned to the link between tech companies’ practices and the protection of citizens’ personal data.
Antitrust is the latest headache for Facebook and Big Tech
Recent cases have seen competition regulators intervening against tech giants, Facebook in particular. The most recent is a ruling in Germany, where the competition watchdog did not issue a fine, but instead ordered Facebook to stop practices which are a key part of the company’s business model. This, alongside other ongoing cases, could be a signal of a new regulatory trend.
Australia proposes comprehensive regulation of online platforms
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a preliminary report as part of its inquiry on digital platforms, which started at the end of 2017. The report carries 11 recommendations, and identifies nine areas for further investigation, which will likely be tackled in more detail by the final report to be published by June 2019.
Apple’s Tim Cook says regulation of big tech is inevitable, but what it will look like?
The CEO of Apple, Tim Cook, made the headlines with his recent interview in which he called regulation of tech companies “inevitable”, and concluded that the free market has failed to deliver. His prediction is likely to be accurate, as policymakers increasingly see cases for intervention with regard to data protection and disinformation.
EU Council at a standstill over Digital Taxation and e-Privacy
On 4 December 2018, ministers of EU member states gathered in the respective groups of the European Council, to discuss two proposals on a Digital Service Tax and on the e-Privacy regulation. On both issues, EU countries are still clearly divided, and are failing to make significant progress.
Summary of the global inquiries into the spread of misinformation (and data privacy)
This note will be updated as and when witnesses appear in front of various committees that are addressing the topic of misinformation and the use of personal data.
Facebook should let Nick Clegg influence things in two ways
Today is the first day for former UK Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, as Facebook’s new head of global policy and communications. The move inevitably triggered contrasting reactions, but signals Facebook’s willingness to engage with institutions more constructively in the future.
