• Privacy Policy
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Data Centre & Network News
ADVERTISEMENT
  • Data Centres
  • Networking
  • Infrastructure
  • Data
  • Media Kit
  • Events
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
  • Data Centres
  • Networking
  • Infrastructure
  • Data
  • Media Kit
  • Events
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Data Centre & Network News
No Result
View All Result

The internet: To regulate or not to regulate

With technology adoption across all areas, Ofcom and CMA have raised concern over regulating content and taking into consideration data protection.

Jessica Foreman by Jessica Foreman
October 16, 2018
in Internet
9 0
0
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Earlier this month the Communications Committee took evidence from representatives of Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) as part of its inquiry into internet regulation. The inquiry explored how the regulation of the internet could be improved, including through better self-regulation and governance.

In the initial address to the House of Lords Communications Committee, representatives of Ofcom and the CMA discussed their roles in regulating the internet in the modern digital economy, as well as what needs to be done in order to ensure that the internet serves the public better.

With a view that internet regulation would be more effective if the government developed legislation that an independent body could enforce, Kevin Bakhurst, group director content and media policy at Ofcom, noted that this project would be a ‘useful blueprint’ for how the UK could begin thinking about regulating the internet.

Voicing that it is the government’s responsibility to create the framework, Bakhurts said that there are a ‘number of principles you could set as a framework’, of which cover the areas of the internet that require independence or regulation.

Bakhurts added, “Regulation only works if it has statutory backing and has a clear remit from parliament in the UK, and then has a trusted independent body that will interpret that and set a clear set of rules.”

Though Bakhurst recognises the crossover between areas controlled by regulatory bodies he admitted, “Much of the online content and social media is simply not covered by anybody at the moment.”

Mind the gap

The inquiry identified a significant gap in regulation between broadcasters and those who produce online content.

In previous research Ofcom identified the gap in regulation between broadcasters and those who produce online content, be that social media sites or streaming services. Corroborating this Bakhurst added, “Broadcasters are held to the highest standards.”

“The protections around online content are obviously designed at the moment around terrorist content and protecting young people.”

Kevin Bakhurst, group director content and media policy at Ofcom

With online content playing by a different set of rules all together, broadcasters are keen to close the gap. Bakhurst said it is up to the government to decide, regulation or otherwise. Naturally, the pace of technology is continuously adapting, which directly affects the online world, so any such regulation, if enforced, would need to be flexible and reactive.

Mirroring this concern about such gaps, Andrea Coscelli, CEO of the CMA, said, “What worries me more now is the potential gaps in regulation, as opposed to lack of bodies coordinating.”

Coscelli went on to note that the CMA tried to look into these gaps but stated that ‘responsibility for identifying such issues, strictly speaking, should sit more in government’. He later added that the CMA and other bodies should be ‘adding value’ to government decisions.

Once recommendations were voiced and accepted, Consceli said, “We don’t see our role as ending with the delivery of a report.”

Ultimately, it’s a question of whether it is remotely possible to enforce such regulations, and, with technology adapting at a fast rate, whether issues surrounding freedom of speech, data protection, and privacy in a social media world can indeed be regulated successfully.

Tags: CMACompetition and Markets AuthorityHouse of LordsInternetOfcomRegulation
Share4Tweet2Share1

Related Posts

Network in Sofia

Neterra launches a new fibre metro network in Sofia

November 3, 2022
42
Radio frequency

Selecting the right radio frequency for telemetry applications

October 11, 2022
78
Reading can expect £1bn economic boost from CityFibre rollout

Reading can expect £1bn economic boost from CityFibre rollout

August 8, 2022
47
CityFibre investing £23m in High Wycombe to deliver full fibre rollout

CityFibre investing £23m in High Wycombe to deliver full fibre rollout

May 30, 2022
61
Crawley residents experience full fibre benefits thanks to CityFibre rollout

Crawley residents experience full fibre benefits thanks to CityFibre rollout

May 25, 2022
70
Kettering to benefit from full fibre boost as CityFibre announces investment

Kettering to benefit from full fibre boost as CityFibre announces investment

April 28, 2022
78
Next Post

Huawei: 5G is now

Nexans: Modernising a mythical city

ADVERTISEMENT
Extreme weather should lead to DC continuity plan review
Data Centres

Extreme weather should lead to DC continuity plan review

February 8, 2023
31
DAMAC Group accelerates Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Data Centres

DAMAC Group accelerates Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

February 8, 2023
139

Head office & Accounts:
Suite 14, 6-8 Revenge Road, Lordswood
Kent ME5 8UD
T: +44 (0)1634 673163
F: +44 (0)1634 673173

Data Centres

Extreme weather should lead to DC continuity plan review

February 8, 2023
31
Data Centres

DAMAC Group accelerates Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

February 8, 2023
139
  • Privacy Policy

© 2023 All Things Media Ltd.

No Result
View All Result
  • Data Centres
  • Networking
  • Infrastructure
  • Data
  • Media Kit
  • Events
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • Contact

© 2023 All Things Media Ltd.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Cleantalk Pixel
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.