The plan shows the Government’s clear intention to compete with the EU, and promises to put innovation at the heart of policymaking
The UK seeks to lead the way in digital regulation: In recent months, the UK has undoubtedly made advances in regulating the digital economy. The Government is giving the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) the tools to scrutinise Big Tech by giving it a Digital Markets Unit, which will be given formal powers through legislation in the coming months. With regard to online harms, an Online Safety Bill was published in May to tackle hate speech and disinformation. In May, the response to the consultation on the National Data Strategy highlighted the Government’s resolve to pursue innovation through an “outcomes-based” approach to privacy and by building public support for the use of data.
More agile regulation to compete with the EU: On 6 July, the Government announced a new plan for Digital Regulation – a vision to “reduce red tape”. The intention to compete with the EU in attracting investment could not be clearer – it explicitly refers to the UK’s departure from the bloc as an opportunity to regulate digital technologies in a way that drives prosperity. The objectives are to promote competition and innovation, to keep the UK safe online, and to promote a “flourishing, democratic society”. To achieve these outcomes, the plan sets out three principles to which policymakers will have to adhere. These include actively promoting innovation, achieving forward-looking and coherent outcomes (i.e. pursuing a collaborative approach between regulators, and between regulators and businesses) and exploiting opportunities internationally.
Pro-innovation policymaking by design: Rather than providing a list of future legislation, the Plan sets out the criteria that will underpin digital regulation in the UK. The Government will look to introduce a mechanism whereby policymakers factor in innovation-friendly measures when designing digital regulations, and explore new ways to ensure regulators can share resources and expertise in order to coordinate closely – something that is already happening with the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum. Internationally, the Government pledges to demonstrate leadership in multilateral institutions and strengthen cooperation with countries such as the US, India, and Singapore. The Government is running a consultation until 28 September, and committed to update it regularly including through its forthcoming Digital Strategy.
