More regulation to come; most originates in Europe

A study by the law firm Hogan Lovells predicts that digital and technology companies can expect to face tougher regulations in the coming years. It analysed proposed regulations in 16 jurisdictions around the globe, finding that legislators are aiming to curb the increasing power of the digital industry through means which include mandatory access to data, and the break up of big tech companies.

The firm notes that most of the proposed regulations originated in Europe. Although many of the largest tech companies are based in the USA and Asia, only 28% of the proposed regulations came from the US, and 8% from Asia. The study also found that approaches to regulation were fragmented across jurisdictions, and assessed the chances of converged digital regulation as slim.

The survey found that incumbent governments had generated 70% of the proposed regulations, which suggests a high likelihood that they will become law. Read more: Hogan Lovells

• Wednesday, 20 November 2019