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  1. Our thinking
  2. Tech, data and AI: The digital frontier
Tech, data and AI: The digital frontier
At Freshfields, we’re not just keeping up with change; we’re charting the course at the intersection of law and technology. Through insights and thought leadership, we delve into the dynamic issues reshaping industries today and tomorrow, helping clients stay ahead in the digital word.
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Exploring the next era of innovation

At Freshfields, we’re not just keeping pace with change – we’re leading the way. With over 150 technology lawyers across Silicon Valley and key tech hubs in the US, UK, Europe, and Asia, our team is recognized for its expertise, leadership and innovation. We are committed to helping clients navigate the evolving digital world through insights and thought leadership on the issues reshaping industries today and tomorrow.


Our insights are grounded in a deep understanding of how technology is transforming the legal landscape. From medtech to fintech and AI to quantum, we offer practical guidance on the opportunities and challenges at the intersection of law and technology. With lawyers who have led major tech regulation-related investigations, leading tech dealmakers and former senior government advisers, we provide forward-thinking perspectives to help you stay ahead of evolving trends.


Artificial intelligence is reshaping business at unprecedented speed – and the legal landscape is evolving just as fast. Our globally recognized team – regularly leading discussions at major industry events – explores the legal, regulatory, ethical, and operational shifts AI and other emerging technologies bring. We break down the challenges and identify the opportunities, offering clear, practical guidance to help your business adapt and thrive.


Equally important is how data is handled in this digital age. As data regulation and cybersecurity take center stage, our insights explore the latest developments in data protection, digital rights, and regulatory frameworks. We help you navigate the complexities of managing, leveraging and securing data in a world of digital transformation.

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Artificial intelligence
Automotive
Data, cybersecurity and tech regulation
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Industrials
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Technology

Featured insights

Featured insights

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Oct 22 2025

2026 Data law trends

The 2026 Data Law Trends report reveals a world in which businesses confront an increasingly complex, multi-polar regulatory environment.

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Nov 21 2024

2025 Data law trends - Leading the change

The 2025 Data Law Trends report is here, and this year’s findings reveal one thing loud and clear: the pace of change in data law is accelerating, profoundly impacting businesses.

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May 12 2025

UK Online Safety Act Hub

The UK’s Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA) is now law. The OSA imposes extensive legal duties on a wide range of internet services, backed by tough fines of up to 10% of global turnover. A phased approach is being taken to its implementation.

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May 13 2025

EU Digital Strategy

The complexity and global reach of this legislation is unprecedented and requires a holistic approach across disciplines. 

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Jan 28 2025

10 Key MedTech Themes for 2025

Note: this article originally ran in MedCity News The MedTech industry is accelerating at an unprecedented pace. As AI reshapes the...
Our thinking

Our thinking

Oct 23 2025
The EU’s proposed Digital Fairness Act: A content creator’s guide to potential implications
The European Commission (the Commission) is planning a new Digital Fairness Act (DFA). This post examines its potential impact on social...
Oct 21 2025
Tokenising the future: FCA consults on progressing fund tokenisation
On 14 October 2025, the FCA published a consultation paper (CP25/28) setting out its proposals to facilitate the adoption of tokenisation...
Oct 15 2025
EU AI Act unpacked #30: Commission launches consultation on serious AI incident reporting rules
Introduction On 26 September 2025, the European Commission opened a public consultation on its draft guidance and standard reporting...
Oct 8 2025
Personal Data or Not? The CJEU’s (updated) understanding of anonymisation
On 4 September 2025, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) delivered a landmark ruling shedding new light on one of the key...
Oct 2 2025
Compliance in a Global AI Market: Examining the Overlaps Between California’s SB 53 and the EU AI Act
On September 29, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 53, the “Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act”...
Oct 2 2025
DSA decoded #7: The small print - terms and conditions
In this edition of DSA decoded, we’re breaking down the requirements for transparency, accountability, and accessibility within terms and...
Sep 29 2025
The EU simplification drive continues at pace – Digital Omnibus is just around the corner
Early in its mandate, the second von der Leyen Commission has demonstrably prioritised regulatory simplification. Following the...
Sep 26 2025
FCA invites discussion on applying its Handbook to cryptoasset firms
The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a consultation and discussion paper on 17 September 2025 outlining its proposals for...
Sep 26 2025
FCA publishes proposals for applying its Handbook to cryptoasset firms
The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a consultation paper on 17 September 2025 outlining its proposals for applying the...
Sep 25 2025
EU AI Act unpacked #29: Italy moves on AI – above and beyond the EU AI Act?
Italy has become the first EU Member State to adopt a comprehensive AI Framework Law. Approved on 17 September 2025, the statute is not a...
Sep 22 2025
Data Act Essentials #2: What businesses need to know about data access requests from EU authorities
The Data Act, which entered into force on 11 January 2024 and became applicable on 12 September 2025, marks a significant shift in how...
Sep 12 2025
Data Act Essentials #1: The Data Act starts biting – Benchmark your compliance efforts
The Data Act entered into force on 11 January 2024 and most of its provisions apply from 12 September 2025. This landmark regulation...
Sep 11 2025
EU-US Data Privacy Framework survives its first judicial challenge – but more are expected
The EU General Court delivered its much anticipated ruling on a challenge brought by a French politician against the EU-US Data Privacy...
Sep 8 2025
Court of Appeal considers threshold for damage in data protection claims
The Court of Appeal recently handed down its judgment in Farley and Paymaster (Trading as Equiniti), finding there is no de minimis...
Sep 4 2025
When Private Becomes Professional: Italian DPA Sets Limits on Use of Employee Messages
Introduction  In a decision dated 21 May 2025, the Italian Data Protection Authority (the Garante) addressed a critical and increasingly...
Aug 26 2025
The EU’s Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising Regulation: Guidance to Support the Technical Implementation
Having entered into force on 9 April 2024, with most provisions set to apply from 10 October 2025, the Transparency and Targeting of...
Aug 11 2025
EU AI Act unpacked #28: European Commission releases critical AI Act implementation Guidelines (Part 4) - Prohibited AI Practices
On 4 February 2025, the European Commission (EC) published guidelines on prohibited practices under the EU’s AI Act (the Guidelines). The...
Jul 28 2025
The IDPC’s recent decision on data transfers to China – one-off or broader implications for international data transfers?
The recent €485m fine issued by the Irish Data Protection Commission (IDPC) against TikTok regarding personal data transfers to China...
Jul 25 2025
EU AI Act unpacked #27: Guidelines on the scope of obligations for General-Purpose AI models
On 18 July 2025 the European Commission (EC) published its “Guidelines on the scope of obligations for general-purpose AI models”. While...
Jul 24 2025
The US Government Releases AI Action Plan and Executive Orders on Infrastructure, Exports, and Federal Procurement
On July 23, 2025, President Donald Trump released America’s AI Action Plan (the Action Plan), a policy document setting forth the...
Jul 23 2025
DSA decoded #6: The European Commission Finalises Guidelines on the Protection of Minors: What They Mean For Platforms
The European Commission (EC) published final guidelines on 14 July 2025 (the Guidelines) setting out its interpretation of Article 28(1)...
Jul 21 2025
Paving the way for the Digital Fairness Act: European Commission opens public consultation
On 17 July 2025, the European Commission published its much anticipated public consultation to prepare a new legislative initiative that...
Jul 9 2025
Digital Fitness Check and Digital Fairness Act Part 7: Contract Cancellations and Digital Subscriptions
The Digital Fairness Act is coming soon: With the public consultation for the Digital Fairness Act just around the corner (likely to...
Jul 8 2025
UK data reforms unpacked: implications for AI and other automated decision-making
The UK’s long-anticipated journey to overhaul its data protection landscape has culminated, with the passing of the Data (Use and Access)...
Jul 2 2025
UK data reforms unpacked: the new smart data schemes and what businesses need to know
On 19 June 2025 the UK enacted Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (the DUAA). The DUAA is a wide-ranging and significant reform package with...
Jun 17 2025
EU AI Act unpacked #25: European Commission releases critical AI Act implementation guidelines (Part 3) - Prohibited AI Practices
On 4 February 2024, the European Commission published guidelines on prohibited practices under the EU’s AI Act (Guidelines). While...
Blog
Jun 13 2025
UK finalises data reforms: what businesses need to know

On 11 June 2025 Parliament passed a Bill that will shortly gain Royal Assent and become the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (the DUAA). 

Blog
Jun 13 2025
UK data reforms unpacked: what businesses need to know about changes to data protection and privacy laws

The Data (Use and Access) Act (DUAA) will implement a raft of reforms across the UK data law landscape. 

Blog
May 30 2025
Brussels Market Court clarifies GDPR roles in AdTech and upholds sanctions against IAB Europe

On 14 May 2025, the Brussels Market Court delivered its ruling in the long-running litigation over IAB Europe’s Transparency & Consent Framework (TCF).

Blog
May 28 2025
DSA decoded #5: DSA's Child Safety Blueprint – What the EC's Draft Guidelines for Minors Mean for Platforms

The European Commission (EC) published draft guidelines on 13 May 2025 (the Draft Guidelines) setting out its interpretation of Article 28(1)...

May 27 2025
EU Audiovisual Regulation in Flux: Navigating the AVMSD Review and Its Impact on Media Businesses
The EU’s digital regulatory landscape is undergoing a period of significant transformation. Amidst the rollout of major legislation such...
May 19 2025
Digital Fitness Check and Digital Fairness Act Part 6: Automated Contracting
As part of our blog series on the EU Commission’s (EC) Digital Fitness Check and a potential new EU legislative proposal, the Digital...
Blog
May 20 2025
The Application deadline for the EMFA is coming up

According to the Rhineland-Palatinate State Chancellery, Germany is planning a new Digital Media State Treaty (Digitaler Medien-Staatsvertrag) to implement the European Media Law.

May 14 2025
California Privacy Agency Narrows Proposed AI-Related Regulations
Companies subject to the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) have been keeping a close watch on CCPA rule-making activity,...
May 14 2025
DSA decoded #4: Advertising under the DSA
In this  edition of our ‘DSA decoded’ blog series we focus on how the DSA impacts online advertising and the challenges the new rules...
May 13 2025
Belgian DPA's new FATCA ruling adds pressure on EU-US data transfers
In Decision 79/2025 (the Decision), the Belgian Data Protection Authority (the DPA) reaffirmed that the transfer of Belgian bank account...
May 12 2025
Anti-SLAPP Directive – Brussels proposes safeguards for strategic lawsuits against public participation
The EU is swiftly advancing its resolution on strengthening democracy, media freedom, and pluralism within the Union. In a bold move, the...
May 9 2025
AI on the Hill
With tariffs, tax cuts, and court battles center stage in Washington, DC, it’s easy to lose sight of policy debates that capture less...
May 7 2025
UK advertising regulator’s annual review indicates its priorities for 2025
The UK’s advertising regulator, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), recently published its 2024 Annual Report (here). This...
Apr 28 2025
Legal implications of agentic AI in healthcare: safeguarding patient privacy (part 3 of 3)
Follow these links to read part 1 and part 2. *** Safeguarding patient privacy Safeguarding patient privacy is paramount when integrating...
Apr 24 2025
AI Continent Action plan calls for simplification of EU data rules
On 9 April 2025, the European Commission unveiled the AI Continent Action Plan, an ambitious programme to position the EU as a global...
Apr 22 2025
Get ready for a new era in cyber security: what the UK's forthcoming cyber law means for you
The UK Government recently published a policy statement outlining the scope of its proposed Cyber Security and Resilience Bill. This is...
Apr 8 2025
Freshfields Authors U.S. Cybersecurity Practice Guide
As cyber-attacks across the globe become more sophisticated and prevalent, regulators have tried to keep up by enacting statutes and...
Apr 7 2025
Consumer protection provisions of the UK DMCCA and the CMA’s new enforcement powers are now in force
The majority of the consumer protection provisions of the landmark Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (the DMCCA) went live...
Apr 22 2025
Get ready for a new era in cyber security: what the UK's forthcoming cyber law means for you
The UK Government recently published a policy statement outlining the scope of its proposed Cyber Security and Resilience Bill. This is...
Apr 21 2025
Legal implications of agentic AI in healthcare: potential for inaccurate or biased data (part 2 of 3)
Follow these links to read part 1 and part 3. *** Potential for inaccurate or biased data Inaccuracy and bias in datasets used to build...
Apr 14 2025
Legal implications of agentic AI in healthcare: regulatory compliance (part 1 of 3)
Follow these links to read part 2 and part 3. *** Introduction The agentic capabilities of large language models (LLMs) offer...
Apr 3 2025
DSA decoded #3: Safe harbor - intermediary liability under the DSA
In this week’s edition of our ‘DSA decoded’ blog series, we look at the “safe harbour” provisions of the DSA dealing with liability of...
Apr 1 2025
Belgian Data Protection Authority updates Direct Marketing Guidelines
The Belgian Data Protection Authority (DPA) has recently updated its Guidelines on Direct Marketing (the Guidelines) - originally...
Mar 25 2025
Digital Fitness Check and Digital Fairness Act Part 5: Unfair Contract Terms
As part of our blog series on the EU Commission’s (EC) Digital Fairness Fitness Check and a potential new EU legislative proposal, the...
Mar 10 2025
Risen from the Ashes: FIDA trilogue set to move forward
The EU is committed to bringing the wider financial sector into the digital age. To this end, it has proposed a new framework for secure...
Mar 7 2025
EU AI Act unpacked #24: European Commission releases critical AI Act implementation guidelines (Part 2) - Prohibited AI Practices
On 4 February 2025, the European Commission published guidelines on prohibited practices under the EU’s AI Act (the Guidelines). These...
Mar 6 2025
EU AI Act unpacked #23: European Commission releases critical AI Act implementation guidelines (Part 1) - Definition of AI systems
The European Commission has taken a significant step forward in clarifying the EU AI Act by releasing new implementation guidelines in...
Mar 5 2025
Data meets competition: fostering cooperation between the ADLC and the CNIL
As you browse the internet, you may notice an increasing number of tech companies promoting their ‘privacy-friendly’ services. This shift...
Feb 26 2025
EU AI Act unpacked #22: Key considerations for employers as deployers vs. providers under the EU AI Act
The EU AI Act introduces a new regulatory framework that distinguishes between, among others, deployers and providers. Employers will...
Feb 25 2025
BSH v Electrolux: long-arm jurisdiction of EU member state courts for cross-border injunctions in patent litigation
Today, the ECJ issued the long-awaited judgment in BSH v Electrolux. As expected in our last post, the court has taken a major step to...
Feb 25 2025
Ransomware? Beware! Government launch consultation on new regime
The Government has now launched its consultation (the Consultation), which proposes an ‘entirely new approach’ to ransomware, aimed at...
Feb 25 2025
The rise of audits as a regulatory tool for tech
As technology evolves, so do challenges in effectively regulating it. In an era where there is increasing focus on effective oversight of...
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