A person or organisation that provides information via the Internet, either with a price or free of charge.

A central location where multiple Internet Service Providers can interconnect their networks and exchange IP traffic.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is the term given to everyday objects (not just traditional computing devices, such as laptops and smartphones) which are connected to the internet. Other language used in connection with the IoT include: connected devices, smart objects, the internet of services, machine-to-machine (M2M) technology, sensor networks, the network of networks and pervasive computing or ubiquitous computing. IoT can be applied to objects as diverse as running shoes, buildings, cars, fridge-freezers and drones. Using embedded technology, such objects can communicate and interact over the internet, with each other, the user, the service provider and/or their environment, and they can be remotely monitored and controlled. This Practice Note provides an introduction to IoT technology and considers the following issues: • the technology behind the IoT • identifying the legal issues • application programming interfaces (APIs) • telecommunications and electrical equipment • intellectual property—an overview and a deeper dive into ownership and licensing issues • competition law • consumer protection • liability and fault • compliance requirements • the appropriate contracting model

The Internet of Things (IoT) is the term given to everyday objects (not just traditional computing devices, such as laptops and smartphones) which are connected to the internet. Other language used in connection with the IoT include: connected devices, smart objects, the internet of services, machine-to-machine (M2M) technology, sensor networks, the network of networks and pervasive computing or ubiquitous computing. IoT can be applied to objects as diverse as running shoes, buildings, cars, fridge-freezers and drones. Using embedded technology, such objects can communicate and interact over the internet, with each other, the user, the service provider and/or their environment, and they can be remotely monitored and controlled. This Practice Note provides an introduction to IoT technology in the EU and considers the following issues: • The technology behind the IoT • Identifying the legal issues • Application programming interfaces (APIs) • Telecommunications and electrical equipment • Intellectual property—overview • Intellectual property ownership and licensing issues • Competition law • Consumer protection • Product safety and liability • Compliance requirements

Everyday objects connected to the internet that can be controlled remotely and interact with each other. 

STOP PRESS: On 19 June 2025, the Data (Use and Access) Bill received Royal Assent, becoming the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (DUAA 2025) and coming partly into force on that date. Certain provisions of DUAA 2025, concerning matters such as responding to data subject access requests and the conferring of power to make further regulations, came into force immediately on 19 June 2025. Other provisions, concerning notices from the Information Commissioner and some aspects of law enforcement processing, came into effect on 19 August 2025 (being two months from the date of Royal Assent). The majority of DUAA 2025’s provisions require further regulations (in the form of statutory instruments) to be made to bring them into force. Part 5 of DUAA 2025 serves to amend aspects of data protection and ePrivacy law in the UK, including the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation, Assimilated Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Privacy and Electronic Communications

This Practice Note focuses on the data protection and privacy implications of the internet of things (IoT) and the data collected by it in the EU. The following key areas are examined: • What is the internet of things? • Data protection • The identified key themes for concern • Article 29 Working Party opinion on recent developments on the internet of things • Cookies and equivalent tools • Practical actions regarding data protection • Cybersecurity • EU Data Governance Act and EU Data Act • Revised EU Product Liability Directive • EU AI Act • e-Evidence Regulation For more detailed information on the key commercial issues arising in relation to the IoT, see Practice Note: Internet of Things (IoT)—key legal issues in the EU. Note that specific issues related to automated vehicles are not covered in this Practice Note, for more information, see Practice Note: Automated vehicles—data, privacy and cybersecurity issues in the EU. For information

This Practice Note considers employment law issues surrounding interns doing work experience. It looks at the definition of an intern under the Common Best Practice Code for High Quality Internships, the status of an intern (employee, worker or volunteer) and the employment law protections that arise as a result, recruitment, the national minimum wage, data protection and health and safety. There is no legal definition of an internship but the Common Best Practice Code for High Quality Internships (Code) produced by the Gateways to the Professions Collaborative Forum in association with the relevant government department and others (part of the GOV.UK guidance on providing quality internships) describes it as being where 'an individual works so as to gain relevant professional experience before embarking on a career'. It is therefore work experience related to an individual's chosen career. The theory is that by undertaking professional experience in a certain sector, an intern develops their professional skills and knowledge, thereby increasing their future employability. The Code has no legal effect but does provide a statement of best practice. It states that an internship

Interpol has reported on the conference to be held on the week commencing 22 April 2024, focusing on strengthening Interpol's global network to deal with the threat of organised crime. Police officials from 136 countries will be attending the conference to identify initiatives to increase access to Interpol's global databases with the aim of encouraging greater operational criminal data sharing. Additionally, delegates will be part of round tables for regional discussions on threats such as cyber-enabled fraud, online child sexual exploitation and terrorism. Interpol reported that in 2023, the National Central Bureaus exchanged more than 18 million messages and made nearly eight billion queries through Interpol's databases.

The technical features of a group of interconnected systems (systems includes equipment owned and operated by the customer which is attached to the public electronic communications network) which ensure end-to-end provision of a given service in a consistent and predictable way.

The Interoperable Europe Act has entered into force on 11 April 2024 following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. The Act aims to facilitate cross-border data exchanges and accelerate the digital transformation of the public sector and applies to public bodies including EU institutions and bodies. Most provisions will apply by 11 July 2024 with the exception of European institutions, bodies and agencies, and public sector bodies who will run interoperability assessments as of January 2025, and Member States have until January 2025 to designate national competent authorities.

Private Client analysis: This analysis examines the High Court’s approval of trustees’ proposed exercise of a power of advancement to address uncertainty over whether a child born through surrogacy fell within the beneficiary class of historic family trusts. HHJ Matthews held that ’benefit’ should be construed broadly, encompassing moral and familial considerations as well as financial advantage, and rejected arguments that the proposal amounted to an improper purpose or fraud on the power. The decision highlights the flexibility of trustees’ powers when confronting outdated trust definitions and modern family structures, while underscoring the need for trustees and advisers to review trust instruments in light of developments in fertility arrangements and succession planning. Produced in partnership with Hermione Wiliams, barrister of New Square Chambers.