Joining forces to achieve a better regulation of the digital economy: the UK regulators' strategy

In July 2020, the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DRCF) was launched in the UK. Gathering the  competition Regulator  (Competition Markets Authority - CMA), the converged media and telecom regulator (Ofcom) and the data protection authority (Information Commissioner's Office - ICO), this forum aims to "support cooperation and coordination" between these three authorities and to "achieve coherent, informed and responsive regulation of the UK digital economy" while enhancing the "global impact and position of the UK". 

The three authorities join forces to improve their skills and expertise regarding online landscape to better inform policy making, anticipate changes and promote innovation while strengthening international cooperation.

Released in March 2021, the first DRCF's plan of work identifies three priority goals:

- Responding strategically to industry and technological developments, with a focus on the design framework of online services, algorithmic processing, digital advertising technologies and end-to-end encryption;

- Joined-up regulatory approaches, mainly regarding data protection and competition regulation, online safety including the regulation of video-sharing platforms and children's code, and the interactions in the wider regulation landscape by enhancing collaboration with other regulators (such as the Gambling Commission, the Advertising Standards Authority...);

- Building skills and capabilities within the DRCF by setting up shared centre of excellence, collocated teams or co-recruitment processes. 

On 1 April the Financial Conduct Authority will join the DRCF, which also intends to work closely with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), Payment Systems Regulator (PSR), the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), the Gambling Commission and other agencies as appropriate.

• The annual DRCF's workplan 
• The DRCF launch document

Source: Ofcom