“Tech is a hugely powerful force for good which has driven economic growth across the world,” he said. “But with these new benefits come new and heightened risks.”

He explained how the government have planned to regulate in a way that will help the digital economy grow, while also protecting against the risks.

Online Harms Framework

• In December the government posted a full response to the Online Harms White Paper Consultation.
• The response outlined how they will work to ensure companies are keeping their users safe online.
• The response identified three different types of online harm, which will be regulated by OFCOM:

1. Illegal Harm

2. Harmful Material to Children

3. Legal but Harmful Material to Adults

• Whittingdale stressed that one of the overarching principles of the Online Harms Bill is to protect users rights while including the right to freedom of expression.
• Journalistic content will not be adversely affected, and news publishers will be safeguarded from these regulations.

Digital Markets Unit

• The unit, launched within the Competition & Markets Authority, will work with OFCOM to consider how a code of conduct would govern the big tech companies and their relationship with those that rely on them, such as publishers.
• This will give consumers more choice on their data and crackdown on unfair practices, which crowd out competition and stifle innovation.
• “It will help to rebalance the relationship between publishers and the platforms on which we increasingly rely,” said Whittingdale.
• This pro-competition regime will give digital businesses “robust rules of the road to follow.”