The first is the consultation on the Online Harms White Paper [pdf]. The Government is seeking views on various aspects of its plans for regulation and tackling online harms, including:
- the online services in scope of the regulatory framework;
- options for appointing an independent regulatory body to implement, oversee and enforce the new regulatory framework;
- the enforcement powers of an independent regulatory body;
- potential redress mechanisms for online users; and
- measures to ensure regulation is targeted and proportionate for industry.
This consultation closes at 23:59, 1 July 2019. Responses can be provided online using this link.
We have had a series of posts on this White Paper which make points which may feed into consultation responses:
- The Rule of Law and the Online Harms White Paper – Graham Smith
- What the UK’s Online Harms white paper teaches us about internet regulation – Richard Haggart and Natasha Tusikov
- The Online Harms White Paper: its approach to disinformation, and the challenges of regulation – Emma Goodman
- The White Paper on Online Harms. Keep in mind the bigger picture – Damian Tambini
- Tackling misinformation and disinformation online – Ashley Hurst
Corporate Transparency
The second consultation is likely to be of particular interest to journalists and NGOs. It concerns Corporate transparency and register reform. The consultation seeks views on a series of reforms to limit the risk of misuse:
- knowing who is setting up, managing and controlling companies
- improving the accuracy and usability of data on the companies register
- protecting personal information on the register
- ensuring compliance, sharing intelligence and other measures to deter abuse of corporate entities
This consultation closes at 23:45, 5 August 2019. Responses can be provided online using this link.