An EU industry group finds that the number of firms reporting forced technology transfers has doubled over the past two years
News regulation
Facebook US Settlement Could Impose 20 Years Of Oversight
A deal with the FTC reportedly in the works could extend oversight of Facebook's data practices, but critics say it's too little, too late
Facebook Sues App Developer Over Data Misuse
The company says it is cracking down on the way third parties handle users' personal information, amidst pressure for tighter regulations
EU Regulators Plan Apple Probe After Spotify Antitrust Complaint
Spotify accused Apple of misusing its dominant iPhone App Store to charge a 'tax' on rival music services
Rakuten Takes Applications Ahead Of Cryptocurrency Exchange Launch
Rakuten Wallet is one of several major crypto-asset platforms arriving in Japan in the coming weeks, even as authorities battle against soaring losses due to theft and scams
Controversial EU Copyright Reform Clears Final Hurdle
EU member states, including the UK, adopt sweeping copyright changes intended to adjust rules for the digital age
Connected Car Rules Blocked In European Parliament Vote
The European Commission's proposal has fuelled opposition from network operators, who say it's incompatible with Europe's 5G rollout ambitions
Facebook Changes User Terms Under Pressure From European Commission
The changes for the first time clearly spell out Facebook's business model of selling user data for use in targeted advertising
China Looks To Phase Out Bitcoin Mining
The biggest crypto-mining companies are based there, but China may now list the activity amongst the 'undesireable' economic sectors destined for elimination
Vestager Calls For Europe To ‘Take The Lead’ On Digital Tax
European countries should push ahead with taxes aimed at fairer digital taxation and allow the rest of the world to catch up, says EU competition commissioner
Government Publishes Social Media Regulation Plans
White paper calls for an independent regulator that would write a code of conduct covering illegal or dangerous content – and would have the power to impose huge fines
After Months In Doldrums, Bitcoin Surges Over $5,000
After a 74 percent drop in 2018, Bitcoin has showed relatively little activity this year – but its sudden rise causes other crypto-assets to jump
ICO Calls On Facebook To Prove It’s Sincere On Regulation
If Facebook is truly in favour of stronger social media rules, it should revisit its appeal of last year's £500,000 fine over the Cambridge Analytica leak, says information commissioner
Facebook’s Call For Regulation Meets With Scepticism
As political pressure mounts, Mark Zuckerberg calls for a common regulatory framework covering issues such as harmful content, misinformation and privacy
German States Approve Criminal Law Targeting Dark Web Infrastructure
The proposal would hand prison sentences to those whose dark web platforms are used for criminal purposes
MPs Call For Tax On Social Media Companies
Parliament group calls for regulations to tackle harmful social effects of 'Wild West' online environment, in the latest sign of a tightening regulatory landscape for internet firms
Zuckerberg Announces ‘Privacy-Focused’ Future For Facebook
Facebook chief says the company is building a 'privacy-focused platform', as it prepares to integrate WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and Instagram
Zuckerberg Meets With UK Culture Secretary
The 30-minute meeting at Facebook's California headquarters follows 18 months of demands for Zuckerberg to appear before Parliament
Paris Sues Airbnb For £11m Over ‘Illegal’ Adverts
French capital sues rental platform under new rules as tourist destinations complain of antisocial side-effects of short-term rentals
Apple Faces FaceTime Security Questions As It Releases Bug Fix
The US House of Representatives queries Apple over its initial delay in addressing the flaw, which allows users to listen in on other iOS devices' microphones
MPs Call For Regulation Of Social Media Firms
Committee of MPs lambast social media firms for facilitating bullying and online grooming
Cryptocurrency Crime Losses Surge By 400 Percent
Scams and fraud involving cryptocurrencies rose to £1.3bn last year – in spite of an 80 percent drop in crypto-asset values
Germany May Order Facebook To Halt Some Data Collection
Germany's Federal Cartel Office is reportedly taking aim at Facebook's collection of user data from third-party sources
China Tightens Grip On Blockchain-Based Services
Users of blockchain-based information services will have to register their real names and identity numbers in latest crackdown – even as Hong Kong moves to attract virtual asset traders
Uber Welcomes Government Reforms That Preserve ‘Gig Economy’
The government's plans stop short of tightening controls on the zero-hour employment practices used by Uber and Deliveroo
Cryptocurrency Plunge Takes Heat Off UK Regulators
Regulators and government finance officials in the UK are backing away from immediate regulatory action on cryptoassets, as investor interest cools
Supreme Court Cuts Short Battle Over Net Neutrality Regulation
The US Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal that could have gutted regulators' authority to impose net neutrality rules — as conflict over the issue continues elsewhere
Tesla Receives Subpoenas In US Fraud Probes
The SEC and the FBI have both issued legal writs as they broaden their investigations into Tesla's tumultuous dealings with investors
Google Data Leak Raises EU Data Protection Concerns
The search giant also withdraws from bidding on a Pentagon contract after a report reveals it decided not to disclose a data leak earlier this year
EU Set To Approve Microsoft’s $7.5bn GitHub Buy Without Conditions
Microsoft is reportedly set to get a no-strings-attached green light for the surprise deal, which sees Redmond acquiring the internet's top code hosting site