Technology Legislation

Regulations governing digital technology, cybersecurity, data protection, and technological innovation.

The Automated Vehicles Act 2024 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2026

The regulations brought into force Part 5 (excluding civil sanctions and certain administrative subsections) and Section 93 of the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 effective from May 15, 2026.


These Regulations, titled the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2026, bring into force specific provisions of the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 starting from May 15, 2026, primarily implementing Part 5 concerning permits for automated passenger services (except for sections related to civil sanctions and specific administrative procedures) and enacting Section 93, which mandates the provision of information about traffic regulation measures by authorities in England and Wales.

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The Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) (Relevant Public Authorities) Regulations 2026

The Regulations removed five specified ambulance services in England and Northern Ireland from the list of public authorities authorized to obtain communications data under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016.


These Regulations, made by the Secretary of State under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, amend Schedule 4 of that Act to remove specific ambulance service trusts in England and Northern Ireland from the list of relevant public authorities permitted to obtain communications data, thereby revoking their statutory power to access such data as of May 11, 2026.

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The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (The Mall) (Emergency) Regulations 2026

Published: Mon 20th Apr 26

Imposed immediate, time-specific emergency flight restrictions on unmanned aircraft below 1,250 feet over The Mall, Harrow area on April 20, 2026.


The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (The Mall) (Emergency) Regulations 2026 enact immediate, temporary prohibitions on the operation of unmanned aircraft below 1,250 feet above mean sea level within a 1.25 nautical mile radius centred on The Mall in Harrow, valid for April 20, 2026, between 11:59 and 23:59 hours, unless specific permission is granted by the Metropolitan Police Service.

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The Electronic Commerce (Amendment and Consequential Provision) Regulations 2026

Revoked regulatory exemptions and legal protections previously granted to EEA-based online service providers under retained EU law.


These Regulations repeal provisions related to the Country of Origin Principle (CoOP) previously established under the EU e-Commerce Directive. They remove exemptions that protected European Economic Area (EEA) based information society service providers from certain UK market access regulations and restricted the prosecution of such providers for specific criminal offences, including those under the Terrorism Act 2006 and laws regarding extreme pornography.

The instrument applies to the Secretary of State and affects EEA-based digital service providers active in the UK market.

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The Planning Data (England) Regulations 2026

Mandated that local planning authorities use standardized digital formats for publishing plan timetables and housing requirement data starting May 2026.


These Regulations establish mandatory digital data standards for local planning authorities in England regarding the publication of local plans, minerals and waste plans, and housing requirements.

The instrument designates specific documents, such as plan timetables and the minimum number of expected homes, as "planning data" under the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023.

These authorities must ensure that such data complies with technical standards published by the Secretary of State whenever they publish or update their plans at specified stages of the planning process.

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The Wireless Telegraphy (Exemption) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2026

Expanded the categories of radio equipment exempt from licensing to include certain maritime autonomous devices, training stations, and broadband systems.


These regulations amend the Wireless Telegraphy (Exemption) Regulations 2021 to remove the requirement for individual licences for certain classes of radio equipment.

They establish new categories for licence-exempt use, specifically covering autonomous maritime radio devices operating at 160.9 MHz, indoor maritime radio training equipment, and fixed wireless access apparatus in the 5.8 GHz band.

The regulations apply to any person or entity establishing, installing, or using such equipment within the United Kingdom or its territorial sea, provided the equipment meets specific technical interface requirements and does not cause undue interference.

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The Power to Award Degrees etc. (Spurgeon’s College) (Revocation) Order 2026

Published: Thu 9th Apr 26

The Office for Students revoked the 2022 and 2025 Orders granting degree awarding powers to Spurgeon's College because the institution ceased to be a registered higher education provider.


This Order, made by the Office for Students under powers granted by the Higher Education and Research Act 2017, formally revokes the 2022 Order and the 2025 Amendment Order that previously granted degree-awarding powers to Spurgeon's College, because the college is no longer a registered higher education provider in England.

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The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Weston-Super-Mare) Regulations 2026

Published: Fri 27th Mar 26

The legislation imposed temporary, low-altitude flight restrictions for unmanned aircraft over a defined area of Weston-Super-Mare from June 5th through June 7th, 2026, to ensure public safety during a major festival.


These Regulations, made under the Air Navigation Order 2016, impose a temporary restriction on flying unmanned aircraft below 1,200 feet above mean sea level within a specified, geographically defined area around Weston-Super-Mare between June 5th and June 7th, 2026, to ensure public safety during the 'Summer Fest at the Beach' music festival, with the restriction being lifted except for flights authorized specifically by the Avon and Somerset Police Counter-UAS team.

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