Landmark US ruling on social media addiction prompts UK legal scrutiny

What is the US based ruling on social media? A significant jury verdict in the United States has placed renewed focus on the responsibilities of major technology platforms. In a recent case, jurors found that Meta and Google, as owner of YouTube, acted with serious wrongdoing in the way their platforms and algorithms were designed…

Upcoming Changes to English Language Requirements for Settlement Applications

The UK Government has announced upcoming changes to the English language requirements for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain or “ILR”) applications. As such, new standards will take effect from 26 March 2027. Therefore applicants have time to prepare and ensure they meet the updated criteria for permanent residence in the UK. Additionally, the announcement forms part…

When Reality Gets Litigious: Why reality TV Stars are suing production companies

Reality television thrives on the fascination of ‘real people’ being placed in heightened, often extreme, situations. However, behind the perfected edits and jaw dropping cliffhangers is a complex tangle of contracts, waivers and production practices which are increasingly coming under legal scrutiny. In more recent years, reality TV stars have started to challenge the legal…

The Reddit Data Privacy Fine: What Do UK Media Businesses Need To Know?

This article explains aspects of data privacy for UK media companies and organisations following a recent ruling from the UK’s data watchdog. What is Reddit? Reddit is an online discussion platform where millions of users share news, content, and participate in discussions across thousands of communities called subreddits. Since being founded in 2005, Reddit has…

The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025

Royal assent – 19 June 2025 Introduces reforms to UK data protection framework to assist organisations in using personal data responsibly Makes changes to: United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation Data Protection Act 2018 Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR) Minor relaxation of data protection requirements- streamline data protection laws Most reforms to be…

Super-complaints under the Online Safety Act 2023

Update regarding Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill: Amendment number 94A

What is the Bill? Has a broad range of aims and measures to improve safeguarding and education for children in the UK; and Some reforms include mandating free breakfast clubs and creating better support for children in care. What is amendment number 94A? Amendment specifically targets the use of social media by children; Put forward…

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Privacy Rights in relation to Criminal Investigations

The front page news and rolling coverage, led by the BBC, which accompanied the arrest this week of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, had echoes of the same news organisation’s coverage of a police raid on the home of Sir Cliff Richard back in 2014. On that occasion the BBC ended up being ordered by…

At a glance: Super-Complaints Regime

Research Resources: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/online-safety-super-complaints Commences on 1 January 2026 Online Safety Act- eligible organisations representing users of regulated online services or the public to raise a ‘super-complaint’ with Ofcom. Ofcom Independent regulator for communications in the UK Oversees telecommunications, post, broadcasting, and online services sectors Regulator of the Online Safety Act 2023 What is a super-complaint?…

The Future? Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property, An Unresolved Question of Training Data

The legal landscape is shifting rapidly and unevenly across jurisdictions. In the UK, the government is required to publish a full report on AI and copyright by March 2026, potentially introducing an opt-out model similar to the EU framework. In the US, the outcome of “Andersen v. Stability AI” will offer the first jury-tested assessment…