GDPR has been in place two weeks now, much to the relief of the many individuals who were swarmed with emails requiring fresh consent to the receipt of newsletters and other marketing messages. Leading up to the 25th May, customers have also been notified of the changes to the privacy policies most tech companies inevitably had to make. Assembly has studied how they compare, with particular regard to the validity of GDPR’s safeguards outside the EU, and to the legal bases adopted for treatment of personal data.
Discontent around the new European Electronic Communications Code is no good thing
On 6 June 2018, the EU announced a political agreement on the long-awaited European Electronic Communications Code. Stakeholders across the board are unhappy; however, the favourable treatment of wholesale-only networks could solve some long-standing problems facing wholesale access regulation over the last 20 years.
Three UK’s road to 5G leadership
On 6 June 2018, Three UK held an analyst event focused on recent network developments, spectrum holdings and plans to launch 5G. While specific details around their 5G launch remain under-wraps, there’s a clear ambition to be a leader from the start. The recent acquisition of fixed wireless access broadband provider Relish, and success in the recent Ofcom auction have positioned Three well to extend their footprint and what can be achieved.
GDPR is almost here, but it will not change the world in a day
The most talked about day of the last two years is almost upon us. The European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will come into force tomorrow, promising much stronger rights and safeguards for users’ personal data. For now, the main effect it has had has been, paradoxically, to irritate the very people it is supposed to protect, due to the deluge of emails we have all received from companies seeking fresh consent.
Are DPAs ready for the consistent approach required by GDPR?
Among the significant changes it will bring about, the GDPR includes detailed rules for Data Protection Authorities to adopt consistent approaches and interact more regularly and effectively with one another. To this end, the newly founded European Data Protection Board will play a key role in overseeing the consistency mechanism created by GDPR. Assembly’s research shows there are still striking differences in funding and staff across DPAs.
BT reshapes consumer division
Following last week’s Q4 results, today we saw how BT Group plans to implement its new strategy starting with the reshaping of its consumer division. There were a number of announcements made, the most important of which we have summarised here.
How are European data protection authorities approaching GDPR?
The entry into force of GDPR is now imminent. Assembly’s Privacy and Data Protection Tracker has analysed and compared the approach taken by Data Protection Authorities in various countries, to prepare businesses for the new regulation. Differences in approaches across countries remain, although the pan-European nature of GDPR means companies can find useful insight in the activity of all DPAs across the EU.
BT – Q4 results and the biggest shake-up in a decade
After a two year slide, during which the share price has practically halved, trust and confidence amongst BT's investors needs to be rebuilt. Accordingly, the company has announced its biggest overhaul in a decade which sees cost stripping and job losses but also new hires and investment.
South African government should listen to industry’s concerns about the Telecoms Bill
Following several drafts, the latest of which was published in November 2017, the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services of South Africa (DTPS) is currently redrafting the Electronic Communications Amendment Bill, with the view to finalise legislation by early 2019. The bill introduces several major changes.
Where next for the regulation of Facebook?
After the emergence of large-scale data breaches on Facebook’s platform, CEO Mark Zuckerberg accepted to appear before the respective parliamentary committees of the US Senate and Congress. The hearings highlighted that US politicians are now turning their attention to social media platforms, but have no coherent plan (and unclear intentions) on the measures to adopt. At the same time, there are clear indications that the EU’s GDPR will become a benchmark for data privacy worldwide.
