House of Lords Communications Committee publish report

In March, the House of Lords Select Committee on Communications published its report, ‘Regulating in a Digital World’. The Committee note that over a dozen UK regulators have a remit covering the digital world, but there is no body which has complete oversight and no regulator with a remit for online content.

The Committee recommend the development of a comprehensive and holistic strategy for regulation, including a set of ten principles that should shape and frame all regulation of the internet. The ten principles include: parity, accountability, transparency, openness, privacy, ethical design, recognition of childhood, respect for human rights, education and awareness-raising, and democratic accountability, proportionality and an evidence-based approach. The Committee also recommend establishment of a Digital Authority body to oversee this regulation, with access to the highest level of Government to facilitate the “urgent change” that is needed.

Read the report here.