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22 March 2024
Issue: 8064 / Categories: Legal News , Cyber , Cybercrime , Technology , Privacy , Criminal , Artificial intelligence
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NLJ this week: Can this Act keep us safe online?

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From deepfakes to revenge porn, the rise of online crime has created a tough environment to police

In this week’s NLJ, Farrer & Co partner Thomas Rudkin and associate Emily Costello assess the chances of the Online Safety Act 2023, the latest sheriff in town.

Will the Act live up to the government’s boast that it makes the UK ‘the safest place in the world to be online’? Rudkin and Costello examine some key provisions of the Act. They note the ‘potentially dramatic and rapid technological—and indeed social—developments’ that pose a major challenge to regulation of this area, such as artificial intelligence. 

The authors write that while it could be said the Act ‘doesn’t provide sufficient detail’ to cover some gaps that have been identified, ‘some of its more generic wording may serve to cover technological advances yet to emerge’.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Gardner Leader—Charlotte Botham & Belinda Sinnott

Gardner Leader—Charlotte Botham & Belinda Sinnott

Law firm strengthens real estate team with two new partners

DR Solicitors—Sarah Cook

DR Solicitors—Sarah Cook

DR Solicitors strengthens primary care expertise with appointment of legal director

Womble Bond Dickinson—David Varney

Womble Bond Dickinson—David Varney

Womble Bond Dickinson appoints David Varney to strengthen digital practice

NEWS
The law offers cohabiting couples surprisingly greater protection after one partner dies than when they separate during life
Four recent Employment Appeal Tribunal decisions have clarified important employment law principles on dismissal, bonuses, trade union activity and tribunal procedure
The Court of Appeal's decision in Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys LLP has lifted months of uncertainty for Chartered Legal Executives while prompting a rethink of regulation and supervision
The assisted dying debate returns to Westminster as Lauren Edwards MP reintroduces legislation that stalled in the House of Lords last session despite clearing the Commons
A little-noticed provision of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 has fundamentally expanded corporate criminal liability
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