BNPL Regulation: What FCA Authorisation Means for BNPL Operators
From 15 July 2026, BNPL firms must hold FCA authorisation or rely on the Temporary Permissions Regime. What PS26/1 and SI 2025/859 require now.
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Ofcom Copper Retirement: What the Three-Stage Framework Means for Operators
Ofcom confirmed its three-stage copper retirement framework in the TAR 2026-31. The second threshold consultation closes 12 May 2026. What operators and wholesale access purchasers need to know about the stop sell, charge control removal and full copper withdrawal timeline.
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PSR/FCA Consolidation: What Changes for Payment Firms and Scheme Participants
The PSR FCA consolidation transfers all PSR functions to the FCA. What changes for payment service providers, scheme participants, and payment system operators.
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Does Your Regulated Business Need a Fractional General Counsel?
Three models for legal support compared. When a fractional general counsel is the right answer for telecoms, fintech and data businesses in the regulatory perimeter.
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What Does the CMA Do? A Guide to the UK’s Competition Regulator
The CMA enforces UK competition law, controls mergers, investigates markets and regulates digital platforms. Guide to CMA powers, penalties and the new SMS regime.
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Data Protection | EU | UK
Recognised Legitimate Interests: The UK Parts Ways with the EU on the Balancing Test
The DUAA 2025 introduces recognised legitimate interests as a new UK GDPR lawful basis. Analysis of the five Annex 1 purposes, the distinction from standard legitimate interests, UK/EU divergence, and commercial implications for data-driven businesses.
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Ofcom v X: The Online Safety Act Gets Its Defining Enforcement Test
Ofcom opened a formal investigation into X over Grok AI deepfake imagery. The first major Online Safety Act enforcement action against a global platform tests the full range of OSA powers, from fines to business disruption measures.
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Agentic AI and Payments: Can an AI Agent Consent to a Payment?
Agentic AI payments raise an unresolved question in UK payments law: can an AI agent give valid consent under PSRs 2017 Reg 67? Analysis of the regulatory gap and what it means for fintechs and payment institutions.
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FCA Safeguarding: Six Weeks to the Supplementary Regime
Quick answer. The FCA’s Safeguarding Supplementary Regime takes effect on 7 May 2026, requiring payment and e-money institutions to meet new daily reconciliation, reporting and audit obligations on relevant funds. FCA safeguarding reform is now weeks away from taking effect. The FCA published its Payments Regulatory Priorities report on 25 March 2026, confirming that keeping…
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The Payments Forward Plan: A Three-Year Roadmap for UK Payments Regulation
Quick answer. The Payments Forward Plan published by the Bank of England, FCA, PSR and HM Treasury is the UK’s first coordinated three-year roadmap for retail, wholesale and digital asset payments, and the clearest signal yet of the shape of future rulemaking. On 26 February 2026, the Payments Vision Delivery Committee published the Payments Forward…
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Copyright and AI: The Government Steps Back from a Training Exception
Quick answer. The UK government confirmed on 18 March 2026 that it will not introduce a broad copyright exception for AI training. Instead, the existing copyright framework applies: AI developers must obtain licences to use copyrighted works for training, unless a specific existing exception (such as non-commercial research under section 29A CDPA 1988) applies. The…
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Ofcom’s Plan of Work 2026/27: What It Means for Telecoms Investment and Transactions
Ofcom’s Plan of Work 2026/27 shapes telecoms investment, altnet consolidation and compliance. Analysis of what it means for operators and dealmakers.
