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The somewhat controversial Digital Economy Bill received Royal Assent last week and I thought I would share a few (but not all) things that is covered by the Act that is relevant to the most of the public. Note that a date is yet to be announced for enforcement so none of this in force just yet.
Mandatory age verification for adult content
Adult content sites will not be forced to set an age-verification system in place to prevent children from accessing it. Powers for the new unnamed regulator can fine websites up to £250k or 5% of turnover and order ISPs to block their websites if they fail to comply.
Minimum broadband speed of 10mbps
Introduced is a new Universal Service Obligation (USO) which means that everyone has a legal right to a minimum speed of 10mbps, particularly important for those in rural areas who receive little to no broadband speed. How this is going to work we do not know yet but I am sure further details and information will be published over the year. Also that Ofcom has the power to set a minimum speed above 10mbps in the future if it chooses to do so.
Mobile phone customers now able to set a cap on monthly bills
All mobile phone providers will now have to offer customers the right to set a cap on their bill to prevent any shock bills coming through the post. If the cap is to be increased and/or the provider want to charge more, they will need the consent of the customer.
Harsher sentences for breaches of copyright laws (aimed at piracy)
This is aimed at those who distribute and leak the material rather than everyday Joe Bloggs who downloads or watches it, therefore going to the root of the problem.
Computerised bots used for purchasing venue tickets to be a criminal offence
The Act will now enable regulation over those who use automatic bots to purchase bulk tickets and then sell them on reseller websites and once in force, it will become a criminal offence to do so. There will also be additional consumer rights attached which forces resellers to show certain information.
Mandatory age verification for adult content
Adult content sites will not be forced to set an age-verification system in place to prevent children from accessing it. Powers for the new unnamed regulator can fine websites up to £250k or 5% of turnover and order ISPs to block their websites if they fail to comply.
Minimum broadband speed of 10mbps
Introduced is a new Universal Service Obligation (USO) which means that everyone has a legal right to a minimum speed of 10mbps, particularly important for those in rural areas who receive little to no broadband speed. How this is going to work we do not know yet but I am sure further details and information will be published over the year. Also that Ofcom has the power to set a minimum speed above 10mbps in the future if it chooses to do so.
Mobile phone customers now able to set a cap on monthly bills
All mobile phone providers will now have to offer customers the right to set a cap on their bill to prevent any shock bills coming through the post. If the cap is to be increased and/or the provider want to charge more, they will need the consent of the customer.
Harsher sentences for breaches of copyright laws (aimed at piracy)
This is aimed at those who distribute and leak the material rather than everyday Joe Bloggs who downloads or watches it, therefore going to the root of the problem.
Computerised bots used for purchasing venue tickets to be a criminal offence
The Act will now enable regulation over those who use automatic bots to purchase bulk tickets and then sell them on reseller websites and once in force, it will become a criminal offence to do so. There will also be additional consumer rights attached which forces resellers to show certain information.
