How to Conduct an Illegal Content Risk Assessment for the Online Safety Act
The Online Safety Act (OSA) places legal responsibility on businesses operating a wide range of online services to keep UK users safe online. All in-scope services (see more information below) with a significant number of UK users or targeting the UK market are covered by the OSA, regardless of where they are based. One of the first deadlines is for online service providers to complete an illegal content risk assessment by 16 March 2025. In this article, we’ll explain what this means and how your business can comply.
Legal Implications of the UK’s Online Safety Act on Age Verification for Online Service Providers
The UK’s Online Safety Act introduces new rules for implementing online age checks. It requires service providers offering pornography or other harmful content to implement ‘age assurance’ to prevent children from accessing it. If your service falls within this scope in the UK, there are specific rules you need to follow, which we’ll explain in today’s article.
Digital Services Act (DSA): Implications for Swiss Companies
The way businesses work and connect with customers has changed a lot in the digital age. To adapt to this changing landscape, the European Union (EU) has introduced the Digital Services Act (DSA), a ground-breaking regulatory framework designed to govern digital platforms and services and established a new set of rules to regulate these service providers.
Black Friday to Christmas: A Legal Guide for EU-Compliant Online Promotions
With Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas sales around the corner, online businesses have a prime opportunity to increase sales. But with great opportunities come responsibilities — especially for businesses targeting European Union (EU) consumers. Here’s a practical legal guide to help you maximise seasonal sales while staying compliant with EU laws.
Legal Steps for Suspending User Accounts on Online Platforms
Online platforms that allow users to share content are required to manage content moderation and, when necessary, suspend user activities for violations of legal obligations or platform rules. The Digital Services Act (DSA) sets out important guidelines for these platforms, especially regarding the suspension of user accounts or activities. This article explains the conditions under which platform providers can suspend user access, offering practical advice and examples for platforms that must comply with these rules.
Promotion Rules for Cryptoasset Firms: Key Insights from the UK’s Financial Promotion Regime
Cryptoassets are often in the news and have come under greater regulatory scrutiny in recent years. Incidents like the collapse of FTX and price volatility have raised concerns. To protect consumers, UK public authorities are introducing specific rules for promotions conducted by the crypto sector.
Unfair Commercial Practices – Legal Insights for E-Commerce Businesses
To engage customers responsibly, businesses need to find a balance between strong marketing efforts and fair commercial practices. The European Union (EU) has strict regulations to protect consumers from unfair commercial practices, and it’s vital for e-commerce companies to understand and comply with these rules. Failure to do so can result in legal penalties and harm a brand’s reputation.
EU Consumer Bodies Call Out Video Game Companies for Unfair Practices
In a significant development, various EU consumer organizations, including the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), have lodged a formal complaint with EU authorities against leading video game companies. This complaint alleges that these companies engage in practices that violate EU consumer protection laws, raising critical concerns about compliance and consumer rights.
CMA’s Ruling on Online Choice Architecture: What E-Commerce Businesses Should Learn
In 2023, Citizens Advice revealed a staggering figure: consumers spent nearly £2.1 billion on items they didn’t want, need, or later regretted over the course of a year. This spending was largely driven by manipulative online choice architecture – a design strategy used by e-commerce websites that push consumers into making quick decisions they might regret.