Civil Liberties Legislation
Laws and regulations protecting individual rights, freedoms, and civil liberties, including privacy rights, freedom of expression, and anti-discrimination measures.
The Online Safety Super-Complaints (Eligibility and Procedural Matters) Regulations 2025
These regulations, effective December 31, 2025, govern the submission of super-complaints regarding online safety to OFCOM under the Online Safety Act 2023.
They define eligibility criteria for entities submitting complaints, specifying requirements for supporting evidence and the information to be included in the complaints.
The regulations also outline grounds for rejecting complaints, procedures for OFCOM's response, and restrictions on complaint submissions.
The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2025
The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2025 bring into force various sections of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, effective August 20, 2025.
These sections cover aspects such as access to customer and business data, amendments to the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018, the establishment of the Information Commission, and provisions related to online safety, eIDAS regulations, copyright, and AI. The regulations specify which subsections of each section come into force, and their geographical extent across the UK.
The Online Safety Act 2023 (Commencement No. 6) Regulations 2025
These regulations bring into force section 210 of the Online Safety Act 2023 on July 25, 2025.
This section repeals Part 4B of the Communications Act 2003, ending a transition period that began in January 2024.
The change puts video-sharing platforms under the Online Safety Act's updated duties of care.
The regulations apply across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
A full impact assessment is available.
The Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Suitability for Fixed Term Recall) Order 2025
This Order modifies the Criminal Justice Act 2003, changing the conditions for automatic release of recalled prisoners in England and Wales.
It introduces stricter criteria, including a new schedule of offenses that disqualify prisoners from automatic release after 28 days (or 14 days for sentences less than 12 months).
The revised criteria consider factors such as age, sentence length, offense type, terrorist-related activity, and multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) levels.
The amendments aim to improve public safety by retaining those deemed a higher risk in custody for extended periods.
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (Guernsey) Order 2025
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (Guernsey) Order 2025 extends specific provisions of the UK's Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 to the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
Key changes include modifying information-sharing requirements between Guernsey's police force and the UK's Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to enhance barring decisions related to individuals working with vulnerable adults and children.
The order also amends the Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) (Guernsey) (Amendment) Order 2012 to reflect these changes.
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (Jersey) Order 2025
This Order extends parts of the UK's Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 to Jersey.
Specifically, it mandates information sharing between Jersey authorities and the UK's Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to support barring decisions for individuals working with vulnerable adults or children.
The Order also amends the Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) (Jersey) (Amendment) Order 2012 to clarify the extent of Part 5 of Schedule 10 of the 2012 Act's applicability to Jersey.
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (Isle of Man) Order 2025
This Order extends key provisions of the UK's Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 to the Isle of Man.
Specifically, it mandates information sharing between the Isle of Man Constabulary and the UK's Disclosure and Barring Service to support barring decisions, making changes to the Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) (Isle of Man) (Amendment) Order 2012 to reflect this.
The modifications ensure consistent safeguarding standards and enhance the protection of vulnerable adults and children in the Isle of Man.
The Terrorism Act 2000 (Proscribed Organisations) (Amendment) Order 2025
This order amends the Terrorism Act 2000 by adding Palestine Action, Maniacs Murder Cult (MMC), and Russian Imperial Movement (RIM) to the list of proscribed organizations.
The order cites the Secretary of State's belief that these organizations engage in terrorism, and it was approved by both Houses of Parliament.
The order also includes an explanatory note which clarifies that the entry for Palestine Action refers specifically to the UK based organization, and declares no significant impact on public or private sectors is expected, therefore a full impact assessment was not considered necessary.