Technology Legislation
Regulations governing digital technology, cybersecurity, data protection, and technological innovation.
The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy (Amendment and Saving Provision) Regulations 2026
- Department: Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Updated technical standards for emergency call centres to enable 4G and 5G vehicle eCall functionality while extending support for legacy standards until 2031.
These Regulations update the technical requirements for emergency call handling systems to support 4G and 5G vehicle emergency calls (eCall).
They direct public safety answering points to adopt new international standards for packet-switched networks and IP Multimedia Subsystems while maintaining compatibility with older standards during a transition period.
The requirements apply to all emergency response centers in the United Kingdom that receive automated vehicle emergency alerts.
The Tribunal Procedure (Upper Tribunal) (Amendment) Rules 2026
- Department: Ministry of Justice
- Made under: Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
Updated Upper Tribunal procedures by setting deadlines for Online Safety Act appeals and revising service requirements for immigration judicial reviews.
This instrument amends the procedural rules for the Upper Tribunal to incorporate new statutory appeals and refine judicial review processes.
It sets a three-month deadline for appealing OFCOM decisions under the Online Safety Act 2023 and introduces a new requirement for the Tribunal to seal immigration judicial review applications before they are served on respondents.
Additionally, the rules establish a formal right for applicants to reply to acknowledgments of service within seven days and permit the Tribunal to issue final decisions in immigration judicial reviews without a hearing, while setting a 12-day limit for seeking permission to appeal such decisions.
These changes apply to legal representatives and parties involved in litigation within the Upper Tribunal's jurisdiction in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
The Enterprise Act 2002 (Specification of Additional Section 58 Consideration) Order 2026
- Department: Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
- Made under: Enterprise Act 2002
Added the continuity of telecommunications supply as a public interest ground for government intervention in UK business mergers.
This Order amends the Enterprise Act 2002 to allow the Secretary of State to intervene in mergers that may affect the continuity of telecommunications services in the United Kingdom.
It establishes a new public interest consideration focused on preventing disruption to the economy, society, public services, and critical national infrastructure.
The Order also grants the Secretary of State specific powers to issue enforcement orders requiring companies to take, or refrain from, particular actions to ensure service continuity during a merger.
The Springwell Solar Farm (Correction) Order 2026
- Department: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Made under: Planning Act 2008
Corrected technical errors and cross-references in the Springwell Solar Farm Order 2026.
This Order corrects typographical and cross-referencing errors in the Springwell Solar Farm Order 2026, which granted development consent for the project under the Planning Act 2008.
It updates specific definitions, such as substituting 'PV modules' for 'panels', corrects internal paragraph numbering across several schedules, and amends the heading for protective provisions to specifically name British Telecommunications PLC. The corrections apply to the original developer, the relevant local planning authorities, and statutory undertakers involved in the solar farm infrastructure.
The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (Commencement No. 3 and Transitional Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
- Department: Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade
- Made under: Competition and Consumers Act 2024
Extended the transitional period for Alternative Dispute Resolution providers from 5 October 2026 to 7 January 2027.
These Regulations amend the transitional provisions of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 to extend the deadline for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) providers and special ADR arrangements to comply with new requirements.
The document changes the end date of the transitional period from 5 October 2026 to 7 January 2027.
This extension applies to ADR providers, particularly those in the aviation sector, and enables the Civil Aviation Authority to be integrated as a competent authority within the new regulatory framework.
The Digital Government (Disclosure of Information) Regulations 2026
- Department: Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
- Made under: Digital Economy Act 2017
Authorized the sharing of data with energy suppliers to assist customers in debt and added new government departments to the list of bodies permitted to share information for specified objectives.
These regulations expand the legal framework for sharing government data with licensed gas and electricity suppliers to help identify and assist customers living in fuel poverty.
They authorize the disclosure of information to energy companies when it relates to debt relief requirements set by the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (Ofgem) under the Gas Act 1986, the Electricity Act 1989, or the Domestic Gas and Electricity (Tariff Cap) Act 2018.
Additionally, the instrument updates the list of authorized government departments—specifically adding the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology—to correct a previous drafting error in earlier legislation.
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Millbrook, Bedfordshire) Regulations 2026
Restricted the operation of unmanned aircraft in the vicinity of Millbrook, Bedfordshire, on 16 and 17 September 2026.
These Regulations prohibit the flight of unmanned aircraft below 1,500 feet above mean sea level within a specified area of Millbrook, Bedfordshire, during 16 and 17 September 2026.
The restrictions apply to all drone operators, with exceptions only for flights authorized by the UTAC Security Manager at Millbrook Proving Ground or those conducted by UK Police air support units.
The Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority established these limits to protect the public interest during the specified period.
The Licensing Act 2003 (Mandatory Licensing Conditions) (Amendment) Order 2026
- Department: Home Office
- Made under: Licensing Act 2003
Authorized the use of digital identification for age verification in licensed premises across England and Wales.
This Order amends the mandatory licensing conditions for premises in England and Wales that sell or supply alcohol, permitting the use of digital identification for age verification.
It authorizes responsible persons at licensed premises and clubs to accept digital ID, provided the verification service is supplied by a provider registered under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.
The Order requires that digital verification services meet specific security standards, defined as a 'medium level of confidence' within the UK Digital Verification Services (DVS) trust framework.