This is the ODPA's monthly round-up of data-related developments from around the world.
On 5 December, a ‘bureaucracy-cutting bill’ was brought to the House of Lords with the aim of reducing administration in the police force: Police Federation backed amendment to Data Protection Act brought before House of Lords
On 6 December, an article quoting spokespersons of leading auction houses Sotheby’s and Christie’s bemoaned privacy rules for posing challenges to the art market: Privacy rules are spelling trouble for the art market
On 10 December, Le Monde newspaper and AFP news agency reported that France’s Data Protection Authority (the CNIL) had fined French telecommunications operator Orange 50 million euros for failure to obtain the consent of individuals to receive ads by electronic means. Orange said in a statement to AFP that it would appeal against the fine to the top administrative court: French telecoms company Orange fined for unsolicited ads
On 12 December, the ICO demanded that Generative AI developers improve their transparency relating to training data: Generative AI developers, it’s time to tell people how you’re using their information
On 16 December, Ofcom brought into effect new UK online safety regulations: Time for tech firms to act: UK online safety regulation comes into force - Ofcom
On 17 December, The Australian Information Commissioner agreed to a $50 million payment program as part of an enforceable undertaking received from Meta, to settle civil penalty proceedings: Landmark settlement of $50m from Meta for Australian users impacted by Cambridge Analytica incident | OAIC
On 18 December, The European Innovation Council published a list of 34 emerging technologies that could change European competitiveness in 2025: 2024 EIC Tech Report identifies a watch list of 34 emerging technologies that could change future European competitiveness - European Commission