UK Watchdog Slams Apple & Google for Stifling Mobile Browser Innovation

UK Watchdog Slams Apple & Google for Stifling Mobile Browser Innovation

Image: borodai/Envato Elements The U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority has found that Apple is restricting competition in the country by limiting the use of rival browsers on its iOS devices and effectively requiring developers to use its WebKit browser engine. This, and a number of other concerns, is “holding back innovation and could be limiting … Read more

UK Considers Banning Ransomware Payments

UK Considers Banning Ransomware Payments

The U.K. government is considering banning ransomware payments to make critical industries “unattractive targets for criminals.” It would apply to all public sector bodies and critical national infrastructure, which includes NHS trusts, schools, local councils, and data centres. Currently, all government departments nationwide are banned from paying cyber criminals to decrypt their data or prevent … Read more

Google Under Investigation to Determine Compliance with New UK Competition Law

Google Under Investigation to Determine Compliance with New UK Competition Law

Google is the first company investigated for potential strategic market status under the new U.K. Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act. If it receives the designation, bespoke conduct requirements will be drafted for the company to follow, preventing anti-competitive practices. “The investigation will assess Google’s position in search and search advertising services and how this … Read more

Guide to UK’s Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act

Guide to UK’s Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act is designed to regulate the behaviour of major digital firms with significant market power in the U.K. The legislation grants the Competition and Markets Authority new powers to impose requirements on tech companies with “Strategic Market Status,” reminiscent of the “gatekeeper” organisations that must abide by the E.U.’s … Read more

UK Regulator Probes Apple’s Mobile Browser Dominance

UK Regulator Probes Apple’s Mobile Browser Dominance

The U.K.’s competition regulator has raised concerns about Apple’s dominance in the mobile browser market. The Competition and Markets Authority said on Nov. 22 that Apple restricts competition by limiting the use of rival browsers on its iOS devices and effectively requiring developers to use its WebKit browser engine. This could stifle innovation among competitors, … Read more

UK riots: British PM Keir Starmer says no ‘let up’ in moves to stop far-right riots

UK riots: British PM Keir Starmer says no ‘let up’ in moves to stop far-right riots

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visits The Hub – Solihull Mosque, in Solihull, West Midlands, England, on August 8, 2024. | Photo Credit: AP British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday (August 8, 2024) vowed no “let up” in moves to prevent further far-right riots across England, after more anticipated street violence failed to … Read more

UK Tech Startups Drop 11%—First Decline Since 2022

UK Tech Startups Drop 11%—First Decline Since 2022

The number of tech startups being founded in the U.K. has suffered its first “marked decline” since 2022, according to accounting firm RSM UK. There were only 12,318 new tech incorporations in the second quarter of 2024 compared with 13,802 in the first quarter — an 11% decline. The number of tech incorporations is seen … Read more

Bather, beware: British beaches and rivers have a sewage problem. It has seeped into election talk

Bather, beware: British beaches and rivers have a sewage problem. It has seeped into election talk

Endurance swimmer Joan Fennelly is undaunted by frigid water and long distances, swimming year-round in the wild. But she takes extra precautions in her own backyard. The River Thames is one of Britain’s many waterways contaminated with sewage and agricultural pollution. “If it looks right, if its smells right, I’ll go in,” Fennelly said. Britain … Read more

Over 70 WTO nations agree to take additional obligations in services sector; India to benefit

Over 70 WTO nations agree to take additional obligations in services sector; India to benefit

India would benefit from a move of over 70 nations like the UK, UAE and Australia that have agreed to take on additional obligations in the services sector under an agreement of the WTO, an official said on Tuesday. These WTO (World Trade Organisation) members are taking the additional obligations under the General Agreement on … Read more

India-UK FTA: Scotch whiskey, EV, services issues may figure in 14th round of talks in Jan

India-UK FTA: Scotch whiskey, EV, services issues may figure in 14th round of talks in Jan

New Delhi: Issues like duty concessions on scotch whisky and electric vehicle (EV) and matters concerning the services sector, including mobility of skilled workers, may figure in the next round of proposed FTA talks between India and the UK in January, an official has said. The official also said that both sides have resolved most … Read more