The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) Minister of State, Ian Murray MP, has informed the House of Commons that UK Biobank had reported the online advertisement for sale of datasets purporting to contain participant data on a Chinese e-commerce platform. One dataset appearing to cover all 500,000 volunteers, although the data did not include names, addresses or contact details and no purchases are believed to have occurred. In response, the government worked with UK Biobank, the vendor and Chinese authorities to remove the listings, revoked access from the research institutions identified as the source, and required a pause on further data access until stronger technical safeguards are implemented. UK Biobank has referred itself to the Information Commissioner’s Office and will investigate the cause, notify participants, and conduct a rapid review of its data security arrangements. The Minister emphasised the importance of the Biobank’s research role, described the incident as a misuse of data and a breach of trust, and confirmed that further government guidance on research data controls and cybersecurity will be issued.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has opened a call for evidence on data regulation in the context of artificial intelligence (AI) and other data-intensive technologies. The call seeks practical examples of how regulations governing personal and non-personal data interact with these technologies and also invites insights into how technological progress might alter data use across the economy. DSIT will use the responses to evaluate whether further guidance, targeted amendments, or more comprehensive reforms are necessary to ensure that existing regulatory frameworks remain effective and fit for purpose. The call for evidence will close on 9 September 2026.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has launched a call for evidence to inform the final recommendations of the independent Pornography Review (a comprehensive assessment of the legislation, regulation and enforcement of online and offline pornographic content). The call will collect evidence on the impact of pornographic content on relationships, sexual behaviours, mental health and people’s views of women and girls, and the substantial impact of new technologies on the industry such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality. The Review builds on the government’s work to take long-term decisions to improve the safety of children and young people in tandem with the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023). The deadline for response is 7 March 2024.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has opened a call for evidence seeking practical, experience-based input on whether the UK’s international data transfer regime is operating effectively and enabling trusted data flows. Recent reforms to the statutory framework for international transfers under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 have created an opportunity to examine how the current framework and transfer toolkit function in practice. The call is structured around four themes: (1) awareness and behaviour relating to international transfers; (2) understanding and use of transfer mechanisms, including adequacy decisions and alternative transfer mechanisms; (3) balancing compliance with accountability and (4) maintaining trust in a changing threat and technology landscape. The DSIT is seeking evidence on how existing tools and approaches affect decision-making, whether the framework supports usability and trust in practice and how it interacts with evolving technologies, security considerations and international data use. Respondents are invited to submit case studies, descriptions of governance or decision-making processes, operational implementation details—whether technical, organisational or contractual—and existing analysis or research. The call for evidence closes on 9 September 2026.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has launched a user engagement exercise for the UK Business Data Survey (UKBDS) 2026. The survey, which examines businesses' handling of personal and non-personal data, domestic and international data transfers, and responses to data protection legislation, aims to gather evidence on data protection compliance and policy implementation. The engagement exercise opened on 6 May 2025 and invites stakeholder input on the survey's methodology and scope.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has published a Statement of Strategic Priorities (SSP) for Ofcom, the online safety regulator, as it prepares to enforce the Online Safety Act from Spring 2025. The SSP focuses on embedding safety by design, increasing platform transparency, and creating a resilient digital world. DSIT has also launched a study to explore the effects of social media on children's wellbeing, aiming to strengthen the evidence base for future policy decisions. The government has committed to refining the Act's implementation based on Ofcom's reports and input from online safety experts and campaigners.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), led by Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, has announced plans to designate cyberflashing as a 'priority offence' under the Online Safety Act 2023, requiring social media platforms and dating apps to take proactive steps to prevent users from receiving unsolicited sexual images. Companies will be under stronger legal duties to prevent, rather than merely react to, such content, with measures expected to include automated detection systems, stricter content policies and enhanced moderation tools.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has announced that £5m of funding will be directed to the University of Dundee’s cell biology research into treatments for a range of diseases such as cancers and Parkinson’s. The announcement comes in advance of the Science and Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle, addressing higher education representatives at the Universities UK conference at the University of Reading where he will announce his vision for DSIT and British universities’ crucial role in transnational research for drug development pipelines to improve patient treatment options. The Medical Research Council’s Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit will receive nearly £30m of funding allocated from UKRI’s Medical Research Council to bolster its cell biology research centre as it continues its vital work over the next five years. The University of Dundee has been targeted as the funding recipient because of its longstanding track record of industry collaboration in bringing over 40 drugs to market to treat patients, having received previously almost £60m in private investment.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has published the government response to its artificial intelligence (AI) regulation white paper consultation setting proposals for implementing a proportionate and pro-innovation framework for regulating AI as set out in the AI regulation white paper. DSIT has highlighted that the government is taking steps to facilitate more agile AI regulation and will provide regulators with the skills and tools needed to address the risks and opportunities of AI. The government has also announced investment in AI safety and development including over £100m to help realise new AI innovations and support the technical capabilities of regulators. The government also acknowledges that there may be a case for future targeted binding requirements on developers of highly capable general-purpose AI models, and proposes to work with AI developers, academics, civil society and international partners to further consider this. Tom Whittaker, Senior Associate of Burges Salmon provides expert comments.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and Cabinet Office have published an Explanatory Memorandum (EM) regarding plans to add EU Regulation 2023/2411 on geographical indications for craft products to the Windsor Framework. Despite the Northern Ireland Assembly voting against the measure in March 2024, the government completed further analysis concluding that it would not create a regulatory border between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The regulation providing EU-wide protection for geographical indications (GIs) related to non-agricultural products is set to be fully implemented on 1 December 2025.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has published draft amendments (No. 2) to the Illegal Content Codes of Practice for user-to-user services. These amendments, prepared by the Office of Communications (Ofcom) under section 41 of the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023), were submitted to the Secretary of State under s 43(1) on 12 June 2026. The revised codes outline measures that services may implement to satisfy their obligations in relation to illegal content, including terrorism content under s 41(1), child sexual exploitation and abuse content under s 41(2) and other forms of illegal content under s 41(3). In addition, the amendments include revisions to the Protection of Children Code of Practice for user-to-user services. This is the second draft amendment to the Illegal Content Code of Practice.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has published an explainer on what the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023) does and how it protects people from harmful content online. The OSA 2023 explainer includes details on how the Act protects users from harmful content online, who it applies to, the offences it introduces, and how it will be enforced.