Joshua Bates

BBC Senior Policy Advisor

[Joshua Bates @JoshPBates]

I'll be continuing to follow this legislation as it begins to come into force, so feel free to get in touch if you have any questions or share notes on the future of online platform regulation 🏦

[Joshua Bates @JoshPBates]

Following the 2019 White Paper, the 2021 Draft Bill and too many changes in ministerial stewardship to count, the Online Safety Bill has finally received Royal Assent 👑

[Joshua Bates @JoshPBates]

Ofcom have produced this useful updated timeline of implementation, but a 2024 general election could throw a spanner in the works, with possible delays to secondary legislation 🔧

[Darren Jones MP @darrenpjones]

Someone should have studied maths for longer.

[Joshua Bates @JoshPBates]

@andrewjb_ Considering the Switch can barely get above 30fps, that's probably a good thing 😅

[Joshua Bates @JoshPBates]

Long awaited Digital Competition Bill has been published. Will give the CMA some significant powers to intervene in digital markets and ensure Big Tech doesn't look to cut out innovative competitors - https://t.co/O92roD6VAL

[Joshua Bates @JoshPBates]

Essentially found that making CoD PlayStation exclusive would not be commercially viable in any sense. Concerns remain however on competition in the supply of cloud gaming services - https://t.co/cgDpgwPAu3

[Joshua Bates @JoshPBates]

Very interesting update from the CMA on their investigation into the Microsoft/Activision deal. Due to new evidence, they've concluded that the deal would not result in a 'substantial lessening of competition in relation to console gaming in the UK'.

[Joshua Bates @JoshPBates]

Another great addition of GC's Top in Tech podcast, this time with the Information Commissioner to discuss UK data protection law and enforcement

[ICO - Information Commissioner's Office @ICOnews]

John Edwards, the UK Information Commissioner joined @Global_Counsel to talk data privacy and big tech, reform of the UK’s GDPR, the independence of the ICO, ‘government by WhatsApp’ and much more.    

Listen in full: https://t.co/hPMpqzjk5L

[Joshua Bates @JoshPBates]

DSIT responsibilities confirmed:
Freeman - Minister for Science, Research and Innovation
Lopez - Minister for Data and Digital Infrastructure
Scully - Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy
Viscount Camrose - Minister for AI and Intellectual Property

[Joshua Bates @JoshPBates]

Great to see the Govt prioritising science and tech, but their digital strategy still seems messy. Data Bill reported to be back in Parliament this week by Politico, but nothing tabled in Parliament yet, and still unclear who's the Minister for what in DSIT

[Department for Science, Innovation and Technology @SciTechgovuk]

The new Science and Technology Framework will bring together every part of government and our private sector partners to transform the economy and people's lives through 🔟 key actions.

Read the full Framework:
https://t.co/uGhz1YMi76

[Joshua Bates @JoshPBates]

The Valentines day tweet we didn't know we needed (or wanted)

[Department for Science, Innovation and Technology @SciTechgovuk]

Separations can be amicable.
They can even help to bring new energy, sparking growth and a fresh focus on what you want to accomplish❤️

Shout out to our ex (miss you) this #ValentinesDay. Follow them here 👉@energygovuk

#StrongIndependentDepartments

[Joshua Bates @JoshPBates]

Fantastic week in Davos (albeit incredibly cold), meeting with clients and businesses from across the globe. Particular highlight was meeting both Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves and hearing about Labour's Green Prosperity Plan #Davos2023 #LabourParty

[Joshua Bates @JoshPBates]

Just arrived in Davos, looking forward to a week of discussing the future of tech, amongst a range of other issues. If you're about and fancy grabbing a coffee do let me know! #davos2023

[Joshua Bates @JoshPBates]

Great event, and some really interesting discussions about where Labour goes next on digital policy.

[techUK @techUK]

Thanks to @uklabourdigital and @darrenpjones for joining @techUK members and Labour politicos for our Christmas drinks last night! As @UKLabour looks ahead to the next election we’ll be working with @uklabourdigital to ensure tech is at the heart of Labour policy🎄

[Joshua Bates @JoshPBates]

Online Safety Bill amendments just published in a Written Ministerial statement: https://t.co/6BwRfRGwIN

[Joshua Bates @JoshPBates]

Donelan just confirmed that OSB will be going back to Public Bill Committee in the Commons. Important the Bill gets scrutiny, but raises a lot of questions on timings + who will sit on committee, as some are now in govt - https://t.co/RtBbvCx2H9

[Joshua Bates @JoshPBates]

Just announced in Business Statement this morning, remaining stages of the Online Safety Bill in the House of Commons will take place on 5th December.

[Joshua Bates @JoshPBates]

Check out my blog on the metaverse and the issue of interoperability published by techUK today.
@Global_Counsel's full report on the metaverse can be found here: https://t.co/jELbqS3teH

[techUK @techUK]

'... Isolated metaverse bubbles on the other hand risk hampering innovation and creating ‘walled gardens'...'💻

Read Joshua Bates, TMT Associate at @Global_Counsel's blog on 'The question of interoperability in the Metaverse' 👇

https://t.co/uiIWjh82VC