Digital Regulation: Written Evidence to the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee

13 Pages Posted: 26 Feb 2022

See all articles by Ewan Sutherland

Ewan Sutherland

University of the Witwatersrand, LINK Centre

Date Written: October 24, 2021

Abstract

The systems of regulation of ICTs and the Internet are already much too complex, the result of the accretion of initiatives over many years. Its Heath-Robinson design needs to be simplified, with formal review mechanisms required to re-examine the systems at least every parliament.

A growing number of issues cut across the boundaries of ministries and regulators requiring coordination and thus accountability and oversight. Her Majesty's Government (HMG) has created the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC), while three regulators created the Digital Regulation Co-operation Forum (DRCF) to address some such issues. The NIC is a potential model for a “digital authority”, representing a way for open and transparent coordination amongst ministries and regulators. Other, similar bodies, could be created to address greenhouse gas emissions and e-waste.

HMG needs to limit the creation and to cull many of the advisory and stakeholder groups.

The Prime Minister could reduce the frequency with which he moves cyber and digital ministers to new assignments.

An online formal register of cyber and digital interests and their submissions with HMG, parliament and the regulators is urgently needed.

Keywords: Competition, Data Protection, Digital, Governance, Infrastructure, Parliament, Regulation, Telecommunications

JEL Classification: O14, O18, O25, O32, O33, O38, O52, L40, L43, L51, L52, L8, L96, L98

Suggested Citation

Sutherland, Ewan, Digital Regulation: Written Evidence to the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee (October 24, 2021). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1634407 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1634407

Ewan Sutherland (Contact Author)

University of the Witwatersrand, LINK Centre ( email )

1 Jan Smuts Avenue
Wits
Johannesburg, Gauteng 2000
South Africa

HOME PAGE: http://link.wits.ac.za/

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