Tech Policy Unit

Our global Tech Policy Unit assists clients in preparing responses to consultations and in alerting clients to the implications of government proposals.

The regulation of the tech space is evolving rapidly as governments around the world grapple with the legal implications of developments in a range of areas from e-commerce and connected vehicles to artificial intelligence, blockchain, data privacy and cybersecurity.

Public consultations and policy papers play an essential role in the process of regulating in new and rapidly developing areas and they provide vital opportunities for organisations to provide input into the policy process.

The combination of tech, legal and policy expertise ensures that the responses are targeted, informed and effective. The public policy practice can also advise on the legal aspects of consultations, including possible legal challenges and statutory requirements.

Clifford Chance also regularly submits comments to UK and European Commission consultations in a variety of areas, including financial services, competition law, contract law and more.

Services include:

Monitoring legislative initiatives on tech from political parties, policy makers, governments and regulators
Drafting formal responses to consultation papers and monitoring consultation processes
Stakeholder and policy maker mapping
Drafting position papers and advocacy
Attending stakeholder engagement meetings
Preparing draft provisions of legislation or guidance

Client highlights

AFME
We are advising AFME on issues arising under the proposed replacement EU ePrivacy Regulation, in support of AFME discussions with the European Commission.

Leading telecomms equipment company
We are advising on the legislative review of 5G and cybersecurity laws across the 28 EU Member States.

AFME, UK Finance and IRSG
We are participating in discussions of the successive drafts of the EU GDPR, the UK Data Protection Act 2018 and the related EU and UK guidance and in related lobbying initiatives at the European and UK levels.

Chinese consumer electronics manufacturer
A pan-European parliamentary and legislative monitoring programme of all relevant cyber security developments in key jurisdictions.

IATA and UK Department for Transport
We are advising on data privacy legal / policy issues to be considered in relation to the use of data in airport security systems.

Why Clifford Chance?

Tech policy is rapidly evolving as governments struggle to keep up with the pace of change in the tech sector. You need a truly global and cross-practice team of experts who are following tech policy developments at the strategic and detailed level. We will help you spot and take action on relevant policies.

Monitoring policy developments before they impact your business

Policy developments in the tech space often come from the most unexpected places. Regulation in this sector is not mature and predictable and will often come as a result of an immediate crisis or a desire for governments to be ahead of the curve.

Responding to consultations and calls for evidence

We can help you respond to consultations on tech policy issues to make sure that the complexities and interests of your businesses are properly understood by regulators and policymakers.
We can ensure that you engage in the policymaking process early, before decisions have been made, whilst policymakers may still open to multiple approaches.

Multidisciplinary approach, with dedicated industry focus

Future tech regulation will not just impact the headline areas like what it should be possible to do in the field of AI, but a wide range of issues including IP, data protection and the role and possible liability of individuals as well as organisations.
It is important to have a holistic understanding of what a particular proposal may have on your business, and to be able to explain the possible impact and consequences that policy interventions may have on businesses, the competitiveness of a particular country and the tech eco-system more broadly.

Global reach and regulator insight

We have experts wherever you need help. Policy developments in tech are currently fragmented and interventions in one country or jurisdiction (e.g. GDPR in the EU) may have an impact on a company's global operations. We can help you navigate those challenges.