Context
The Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DRCF) today outlined its priorities for the coming year by publishing the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum workplan 2021/22, marking a step-change in coordination of regulation across digital and online services.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and the Office of Communications (Ofcom) formed the DRCF in July 2020. Building on the strong working relationships between these organisations, the forum was established to ensure a greater level of cooperation, given the unique challenges posed by regulation of online platforms.
The Information Commissioner’s Office has also published details of the new work plan, which can be viewed on the ICO website here.
Key points to note
- Online services are playing an ever-more central role in our lives, and the digital landscape is developing at pace. There is a need for a more coherent, coordinated and clear regulatory approach – for the good of internet users and the companies who serve them.
- Today’s DRCF workplan for 2021/22 sets out a roadmap for how Ofcom, the CMA and the ICO will greatly increase the scope and scale of their co-operation. This will involve pooling expertise and resources, working more closely together on online regulatory matters of mutual importance, and reporting on results annually.
- The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has been an observer member of the DRCF since the outset and will also join as a full member from April 2021.
Next actions
None – for information