New security obligations on UK telecoms providers

On 17 November 2021, the Telecoms (Security) Act 2021, amending the Communications Act 2003, was enacted, with its provisions coming into force over time. The legislation: imposes new primary security obligations on communications providers; enables the UK to make the (currently draft) ‘Designated Vendor Direction’ in respect of Huawei; and will be further operationalised by …

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New UK foreign investment law to impact telecoms, digital and data transactions

Summary By the end of 2021, many corporate transactions in the communications, data infrastructure, artificial intelligence, satellite and space technologies sectors (and some others) will be subject to mandatory notification to, and national security review by, the UK government. Implementation timetable The National Security and Investment Act 2021 (“Act“) became part of UK law on …

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EU and UK set out digital plans for coming decade

The European Commission has proposed a ‘digital compass’ to set its course for a digitally empowered Europe by 2030. The UK’s Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) has also set out its top ten priorities for a technology driven future to ‘build back better’ following the Covid19 pandemic. European Digital Compass At a press …

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UK proposes statutory backing for Huawei 5G ban

On 24 November 2020, the UK Government started the legislative process for a new Telecoms (Security) law which will, when passed into law, provide statutory backing for their already announced policy objective to exclude Huawei (and potentially other ‘high risk vendors’) from the UK’s 5G (and other) networks on the grounds on national security. This …

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UK Intellectual Property Office seeks views on Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property

On 7 September 2020, the UK’s Intellectual Property Office (IPO) published a call for views on the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the UK’s Intellectual Property (IP) laws. Responses are due by 30 November. The consultation takes place against the backdrop of worldwide interest in AI and the law by governments and regulators. The …

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Global IT tariffs eliminated? WTO wakes up?

“Mr. Praline: Look, matey, I know a dead parrot when I see one, and I’m looking at one right now. Owner: No no he’s not dead, he’s, he’s restin’! Remarkable bird, the Norwegian Blue, idn’it, ay? Beautiful plumage!” – Monty Python Based on a press release from the World Trade Organisation, and tweets from its Director-General …

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MAS Embraces Cloud: A Silver Lining

There should be relief at the moment felt by financial institutions and cloud service providers alike, following the release of the MAS’s consultation on the proposed new outsourcing notice and updated guidelines as mentioned in Rob’s previous post. The MAS doesn’t use the word “cloud” expressly in its consultation.  However, the MAS has made important changes …

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Why bring your own device (BYOD) is not just an IT issue

I was fortunate this week to be both a speaker and a panellist at Questex Asia’s ‘BYOD and Mobile Security conference held in Singapore. It turned out I was the only lawyer in a room of 200 plus IT people, which was an interesting experience. Having made my presentation (Olswang_Asia_BYOD_presentation) my conversations with delegates brought home …

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How serious is India about foreign investment as an engine for growth?

I will be spending next week in Mumbai and Delhi (with @singarbitration), and in preparation have been contemplating the impact of the recent budget proposals on foreign investment, and in turn the implications for the Indian economy. Before going on any trip, I like to remind myself of some basic economic facts, so my trusty EIU ‘World …

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Continued growth in Asian technology, media and telecoms sectors in 2012 despite Eurozone troubles

With the launch party of Olswang Asia happening tonight, I have been musing on the economic outlook for Asia in 2012 and beyond. At a very micro-level I have been very pleasantly surprised by the (extraordinarily high) level of interest in our launch and it looks like the party tonight will be standing room only. I wondered if …

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