The UK government has decided against restricting virtual private networks (VPNs) after its own research found that most children use them for privacy rather than to bypass age checks, with ministers instead placing greater responsibility on online platforms to enforce age assurance. Why VPNs Came Under Scrutiny The issue arose […]
Posted in News Also tagged Online Safety, Restrictions, VPNFormer Chancellor Rachel Reeves (now replaced by John Healey) has declared that the UK needs “a serious plan on AI sovereignty”, using her recent Mansion House speech to position artificial intelligence as a strategic national priority for economic growth, national security and Britain’s long-term competitiveness. What Has Been Announced? Although the […]
Posted in News Also tagged AI, SovereigntyChildren under the age of 16 will be banned from using major social media platforms in the UK from Spring 2027 under government plans that represent one of the most significant attempts yet to reshape how young people interact with the online world. What Has Been Announced? Prime Minister Sir […]
Posted in News Also tagged Ban, Social MediaA reported attempt by the UK government to secure continued access to Anthropic’s most advanced AI models has highlighted how dependent many countries have become on frontier AI systems developed and controlled overseas. What Happened? The story centres on Claude Fable 5 and Claude Mythos 5, two of Anthropic’s most […]
Posted in News Also tagged AI, Anthropic, Ban, ExemptionSocial media restrictions for under-16s are moving closer to reality in the UK as ministers commit to action following a major consultation, signalling a significant change in how young people access digital platforms. Why The UK Is Moving Towards Social Media Restrictions The UK government has made it clear that […]
Posted in News Also tagged Restrictions, Social MediaUK police forces have awarded a £25 million no-bid contract to keep decades-old radio systems running, highlighting the growing cost and complexity of replacing critical national infrastructure. Issued by the Police Digital Service The contract, issued by the Police Digital Service to Motorola Solutions and Sepura, extends support for the […]
Posted in News Also tagged Police, RadiosUK adults are being offered free, government-benchmarked AI training for work as part of a national programme to upskill 10 million people by 2030 and address low confidence and adoption of artificial intelligence across the economy. UK Government Expands Free AI Training Programme The UK government has announced a major […]
Posted in News Also tagged Adults, AI, TrainingThe House of Lords has voted to add a legal requirement to block under-16s from social media platforms, intensifying pressure on the government as it runs a parallel consultation on children’s online safety. Amendment Backed By 261 votes to 150, peers backed a cross-party amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and […]
Posted in News Also tagged Ban, Lords, Social MediaThe UK government has begun testing a digital version of the driving licence as part of wider plans to modernise how people prove their identity and access public services through their smartphones. Starts With Veteran Card The testing marks a significant step in the rollout of a new GOV.UK Wallet, […]
Posted in News Also tagged Digital, Driving LicencePeople using cryptocurrency services in the UK are now required to provide personal and tax identifying details to cryptoasset platforms, following new reporting rules that came into force on 1 January 2026. What Are The Rules? From the start of 2026, anyone buying, selling, transferring, or exchanging cryptoassets through a […]
Posted in News Also tagged Buyers, Crypto, Data, HMRCThe European Commission has renewed its decisions allowing personal data to flow freely between the EU and the UK, confirming that the UK’s data protection framework continues to meet EU standards despite recent legal changes. Applies To Two Frameworks The decision, announced on 19 December 2025, extends the EU’s existing […]
Posted in News Also tagged data protection, EUThe UK’s £100 contactless card payment limit is set to be lifted from March 2026, after the financial regulator confirmed it will remove the fixed cap and give banks greater freedom to decide how contactless payments are handled. Not Forced To Do It Immediately The change, announced by the Financial […]
Posted in News Also tagged Contactless, Limit
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