Ukraine conflict

Ukraine conflict

The Ukraine conflict has brought about a number of issues, in particular in relation to internet services and free speech, which should be considered by TMT practitioners. This subtopic compiles links to related Practice Notes, News Analysis and Q&As on the impact of the Ukraine conflict on practitioners in the TMT sector.

For an overview of the wider legal developments of the Ukraine conflict, see Practice Note: Conflict in Ukraine news & analysis—tracker.

Key TMT developments

On 29 April 2022, the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No 9) Regulations 2022, SI 2022/477, came into force. These Regulations create a framework of criminal offences that can be committed by social media service providers and internet service providers where they facilitate:

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content sharing by designated persons with individuals based in the UK
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the access of internet services provided by designated people by users in the UK
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the downloading of or access to applications

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Latest TMT News

TMT weekly highlights—21 November 2024

Welcome to this week’s edition of the TMT weekly highlights: a hand-picked summary of news analysis, updates and new content from across the technology, media and telecoms sectors. These highlights focus on key topics including new technologies, software, cloud computing, internet, outsourcing, music, film & television, publishing, defamation and telecoms.

ASA rulings—20 November 2024

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld a ruling on two paid-for Google ads for The Pure Gold Company, a gold and silver retail dealer. The ads were identified through the ASA's proactive monitoring as part of its wider work on unregulated investments. The ASA found the ads were misleading as they failed to illustrate the risks of gold investments. The ASA upheld the complaint.

DSIT outlines new online safety priorities for Ofcom implementation

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has published a Statement of Strategic Priorities (SSP) for Ofcom, the online safety regulator, as it prepares to enforce the Online Safety Act from Spring 2025. The SSP focuses on embedding safety by design, increasing platform transparency, and creating a resilient digital world. DSIT has also launched a study to explore the effects of social media on children's wellbeing, aiming to strengthen the evidence base for future policy decisions. The government has committed to refining the Act's implementation based on Ofcom's reports and input from online safety experts and campaigners.

UK payments regulator sees competitiveness objective introduced via the backdoor

MLex: Until now, the UK's payments regulator has avoided the additional scrutiny that a competitiveness and growth remit brings with it. Following a letter from the finance minister to the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) on 14 November 2024, that appears to have changed. In executing its functions, the PSR must now have regard to the government's growth and competitiveness strategy. That is likely to prove a flashpoint for the fintech sector, which has been irked by the PSR over its handling of fraud reimbursement rules.