Technology Legislation
Regulations governing digital technology, cybersecurity, data protection, and technological innovation.
The Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 (Directions to OFCOM) (Revocation) Order 2026
- Department: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
- Made under: Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006
Revoked the 2010 Order that directed OFCOM to manage wireless spectrum licenses and auctions.
This Order revokes the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 (Directions to OFCOM) Order 2010, effectively ending the specific legal directions previously issued by the Secretary of State to the Office of Communications (OFCOM).
It applies to the UK's telecommunications regulator, removing mandated requirements to vary wireless telegraphy licences, amend spectrum trading and charging regulations, and set specific auction rules for electromagnetic spectrum.
The revocation reflects the government's position that the 2010 mandates, which aimed to facilitate the deployment of mobile broadband, have been fully implemented and are no longer necessary.
The Climate Change Agreements (Administration, Energy-intensive Installations and Eligible Facilities) (Amendment and Revocation) Regulations 2026
- Department: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Made under: Finance Act 2000
Revised the eligibility criteria and sectors for Climate Change Levy discounts and updated the buy-out fee calculation formula.
These regulations update the administrative framework and eligibility criteria for the Climate Change Levy (CCL) reduction scheme, effective from 1 January 2027.
The instrument defines which energy-intensive installations and processes, ranging from chemical manufacturing to data centers and battery production, qualify for climate change agreements.
It directs the Treasury and the Secretary of State to oversee a revised list of eligible facilities while amending the formula used to calculate buy-out fees for participants who fail to meet energy efficiency or emissions targets.
The Digital Communications and Contact Details Regulations 2026
- Made under: Finance Act 1999, Finance Act 2026
Established a framework for HMRC to use electronic communications by default for specified tax matters and mandated the provision of digital contact details by service users.
These Regulations authorize the Commissioners for His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to designate specific taxation matters as 'default digital matters,' enabling the agency to use electronic communications with taxpayers by default unless they formally opt out.
The instrument requires individuals using HMRC online services for these matters to provide and maintain accurate digital contact details, such as email addresses.
It applies to any person or entity interacting with HMRC's digital services and empowers the Commissioners to suspend service access for those who fail to provide required contact information without a reasonable excuse.
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) (Notification Requirements) Regulations 2026
- Department: Home Office
- Made under: Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025
Established mandatory notification procedures and data requirements for venues and events covered by the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025.
These regulations define the procedural and informational requirements for persons responsible for "qualifying premises" and "qualifying events" to notify the Security Industry Authority.
They establish specific timeframes for initial registration and the updating of inaccurate information, ranging from 14 to 28 days depending on the nature of the entity.
The regulations apply to owners and operators of venues and events across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland that meet the criteria of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, mandating the submission of detailed operational, contact, and licensing data via a specified online portal.
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Rotherham, South Yorkshire) (Emergency) Regulations 2026
Restricted unmanned aircraft flights below 1,500 feet in a specified area of Rotherham due to an emergency.
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Rotherham, South Yorkshire) (Emergency) Regulations 2026 establishes a restricted airspace for unmanned aircraft in Rotherham.
It prohibits the flight of unmanned aircraft below 1,500 feet above mean sea level within a 0.54 nautical mile radius of a specified coordinate in South Yorkshire. This restriction applies to all unmanned aircraft operators, with the exception of those flying according to directions provided by the South Yorkshire Police. The Secretary of State for Transport issued this order under the authority of the Air Navigation Order 2016 in response to an unspecified emergency situation.
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Charlbury, Oxfordshire) Regulations 2026
Restricted the flight of unmanned aircraft in the vicinity of Charlbury during the 2026 Wilderness Festival for public safety and security.
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Charlbury, Oxfordshire) Regulations 2026 prohibit the flight of unmanned aircraft below 1,600 feet above mean sea level in a specified area of Oxfordshire. These restrictions apply from 30 July 2026 to 3 August 2026 to coincide with the Wilderness Festival.
The order applies to all unmanned aircraft operators, with specific exemptions for aircraft authorized by the Festival Republic Event Silver Commander or those operated by police air support units.
The Critical Third Parties (Designation) Regulations 2026
- Department: HM Treasury
- Made under: Financial Services and Markets Act 2000
Designated Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, Microsoft, and Oracle as critical third parties to the UK financial system.
The Critical Third Parties (Designation) Regulations 2026 designates four specific technology service providers as 'critical third parties' under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
It applies to Amazon Web Services EMEA SARL, Google Cloud EMEA Limited, Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited, and Oracle Corporation UK Limited.
By designating these entities, the Treasury subjects them to a regulatory framework intended to manage risks to the stability of the UK financial system stemming from the services they provide to financial institutions.
The First-tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal (Chambers) (Amendment) Order 2026
- Department: Ministry of Justice
- Made under: Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
Amended the 2010 Chambers Order to allocate jurisdiction over certain business tenancy and telecommunications infrastructure disputes to the Property and Lands Chambers.
This Order amends the First-tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal (Chambers) Order 2010 to allocate specific legal proceedings to the Property Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal and the Lands Chamber of the Upper Tribunal.
It specifically addresses jurisdiction conferred by the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 regarding business tenancies that involve telecommunications 'code rights' under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954.
The Order applies to the judiciary and parties involved in lease renewals or compensation claims where the primary purpose of the agreement relates to digital communications infrastructure.