Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DRCF)
The CMA, the ICO, the FCA and Ofcom have together formed the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DRCF) – to work together on areas of mutual importance in regulating online services.
This forum strengthens existing collaboration and coordination between the four regulators. It aims to harness our collective expertise when data, privacy, competition, communications and content interact.
Contact drcf@ofcom.org.uk for more information.
Update 6 May: The CMA and Ofcom publish joint code of conduct advice for platforms and publishers
In April 2021, the DCMS Secretary of State asked the CMA to work with Ofcom to look specifically at how a code of conduct, proposed as part of the new pro-competition regime for digital markets, would govern the relationships between platforms and content providers such as news publishers. This code aimed to ensure the terms on which platforms and publishers trade are fair and reasonable. The CMA and Ofcom provided this advice to DCMS in November 2021.
Findings from the DRCF Algorithmic Processing workstream - Spring 2022
The DRCF Algorithmic Processing workstream has published two discussion papers on the benefits and harms of algorithms, and on the landscape of algorithmic auditing and the role of regulators, respectively.
Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum annual report 2021/22 and annual plan 2022/23
The Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DRCF) has set out its workplan for 2022/23. This plan includes projects that will help to tackle significant digital challenges, including:
- Protecting children online
- Promoting competition and privacy in online advertising
- Supporting improvements in algorithmic transparency
- Enabling innovation in the industries we regulate
The first annual report from the DRCF explains how we now routinely share knowledge and skills, pool resources and work together in identifying important industry trends and innovations.
The DRCF has launched a technology horizon scanning programme, to provide a coherent view of new and emerging digital markets and technologies.
Our immediate priorities are to:
- make it easier for people find DRCF members’ digital research;
- jointly engage with UK SMEs and tech start-up communities and academia; and
- accelerate our knowledge building in new or rapidly development technologies and markets.
To gain the widest possible range of views, we are launching an ‘always open’ line of communication through a new email mailbox: JoiningUpOnFutureTech@ofcom.org.uk.
Read about our approach and how to get involved.