COVID-19 fraudster jailed for mass cyber scam – Crown Prosecution Service

‘A COVID-19 fraudster has been jailed today (19 May 2021) for using fake digital messages to trick people into providing bank details to receive a vaccine.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 19th May 2021

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Apple accused of breaking UK competition law by overcharging for apps – The Guardian

Posted May 12th, 2021 in class actions, compensation, competition, fees, news, telecommunications by sally

‘Apple is facing a demand for billions of pounds of consumer compensation in a British lawsuit that accuses the company of overcharging users by up to 30% on its App Store.’

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The Guardian, 11th May 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

UK Covid-related cybercrime fuels 15-fold rise in scam takedowns – The Guardian

‘The UK’s cybersecurity agency has taken down more scams in the last year than in the previous three years combined, with coronavirus and NHS-themed cybercrime fuelling the increase.’

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The Guardian, 5th May 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Case Preview: Lloyd v Google LLC – UKSC Blog

‘In this post, Kenny Henderson and Alex Askew of CMS preview the appeal being heard over the next two days in the matter of Lloyd v Google LLC, which concerns a claim alleging that the appellant (“Google”) breached its duties as a data controller to over 4m Apple iPhone users during a period of some months in 2011- 2012, when Google was able to collect and use their browser generated information.’

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UKSC Blog, 28th April 2021

Source: ukscblog.com

Older drinkers risk discrimination says charity, after pub refuses to serve man without smartphone – Daily Telegraph

‘Older drinkers are at risk of discrimination in pubs because they do not have smartphones to order food and drinks on an app, a charity has warned.’

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Daily Telegraph, 13th April 2021

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

NHS Covid-19 app update blocked for breaking Apple and Google’s rules – BBC News

Posted April 13th, 2021 in computer programs, coronavirus, internet, news, privacy, telecommunications by sally

‘An update to England and Wales’s contact tracing app has been blocked for breaking the terms of an agreement made with Apple and Google.’

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BBC News, 12th April 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Alexandra Wilson examines the Court of Appeal ‘Encrochat’ judgment: A, B, D & C v Regina [2021] EWCA Crim 128 – 5SAH

‘The Court of Appeal (“the Court”) were asked to determine whether evidence obtained from the EncroChat application (“the EncroChat material”) can be admitted in evidence in criminal proceedings, or whether it is excluded by the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (“the 2016 Act”).’

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5SAH, 25th March 2021

Source: www.5sah.co.uk

Legal challenge seeks to stop ministers sending disappearing messages – The Guardian

‘Ministers could be stopped from using self-destructing messages to conduct government business, following a legal challenge supported by an alliance of transparency campaigners and university archivists.’

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The Guardian, 29th March 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Patient safety watchdog launches investigation into NHS 111 advice to Covid patients – The Guardian

Posted March 25th, 2021 in bereavement, coronavirus, health, news, reports, telecommunications by sally

‘The NHS patient safety watchdog has launched an investigation into failings by the NHS 111 telephone advice service which may have cost the lives of people with Covid-19.’

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The Guardian, 25th March 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

New Acts – legislation.gov.uk

Posted March 17th, 2021 in budgets, legislation, local government, telecommunications by tracey

Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) Act 2021

Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Act 2021

Non-Domestic Rating (Lists) Act 2021

Contingencies Fund Act 2021

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

Police won’t be prosecuted over WhatsApp remarks about black actor – The Guardian

‘The Crown Prosecution Service has decided not to prosecute three police officers for allegedly racist remarks about a black British actor.’

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The Guardian, 3rd March 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Alexandra Wilson examines the Court of Appeal ‘Encrochat’ judgment: A, B, D & C v Regina [2021] EWCA Crim 128 – 5SAH

‘Alexandra Wilson provides an update on the latest Encrochat position following the judgment in A, B, D & C v Regina [2021] EWCA Crim 128.’

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5SAH, 18th February 2021

Source: www.5sah.co.uk

‘Very dangerous’ Plymouth man jailed for grooming girls on Snapchat – BBC News

Posted February 25th, 2021 in child abuse, internet, news, sentencing, sexual grooming, telecommunications by sally

‘A “very dangerous” man in his thirties who pretended to be 15-years-old to groom three young girls on social media, has been jailed.’

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BBC News, 24th February 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Court refuses former Met Police officer’s appeal against indecent image conviction – The Independent

‘A disgraced former police officer has had an appeal against an indecent image conviction refused.’

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The Independent, 18th February 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Implants, Interception and the Admissibility of EncroChat Data – Broadway House Chambers

‘On 05 February 2021, the Court of Appeal judgment in the case of A & Others [2021] EWCA Crim 128 was published. The judgment effectively dismissed arguments to stop the use of data obtained from the EncroChat communications network in legal proceedings. Put simply, judges ruled that the data obtained by French and Dutch law enforcement by hacking EncroChat servers did not constitute “interception” and therefore did not contravene the statutory provisions as set out in the Investigatory Powers Act 2016.’

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Broadway House Chambers, 8th February 2021

Source: broadwayhouse.co.uk

Documents on CEO’s personal phone should be disclosed, court rules – OUT-LAW.com

‘The terms of a contractual agreement between a CEO and his company mean material held on a personal mobile phone should be disclosed in litigation the company is involved in, the High Court of England has ruled.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 8th February 2021

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

EncroChat: UK drugs boss captured as police crack coded messages – BBC News

‘A drugs boss who ran a multi-million pound enterprise in the UK has been jailed after detectives hacked into his encrypted messaging accounts.’

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BBC News, 4th February 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Witnessing Wills During a Pandemic: “You’re on mute” – No. 5 Chambers

Posted January 22nd, 2021 in chambers articles, coronavirus, news, telecommunications, wills, witnesses by sally

‘The Wills Act 1837 (Electronic Communications) (Amendment)(Coronavirus) Order 2020 (SI 2020 No 952) means that it is now possible to witness a will via a video call. These temporary changes are much needed to allow those who want to make or update a will during the Covid-19 pandemic to do so safely and legally.’

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No. 5 Chambers, 21st January 2021

Source: www.no5.com

One day late acceptance of part 36 offer puts costs in play – Legal Futures

‘An automatic entitlement to costs under part 36 only arises if the offer is accepted within the “relevant period”, the High Court has ruled.’

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Legal Futures, 21st January 2021

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

BT faces £600m lawsuit over ‘overcharging’ – BBC News

Posted January 19th, 2021 in compensation, consumer protection, elderly, news, telecommunications by sally

‘BT is facing a class action lawsuit over claims it failed to compensate elderly customers who were overcharged for landlines for years.’

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BBC News, 18th January 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk