Morning, Tuesday, 10th November 2026
Online
This conference will examine next steps for online consumer protection policy, regulation and enforcement in the UK.
Areas for discussion include implementation moving forward of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA), the Competition and Markets Authority's new direct enforcement powers, and preparations for the forthcoming subscription contracts regime, with the Prime Minister bringing forward commencement to January 2027. Approaches to tackling unfair pricing practices will also be discussed, including invented discounts and misleading recommended retail prices, with government expected to consult in the autumn on additions to the list of banned commercial practices under the DMCCA.
In considering reform to live event ticketing, drip pricing, fake reviews and online choice architecture, attendees will explore potential implications of the Sporting Events Bill currently progressing through Parliament, alongside proposals taken forward through the draft Ticket Tout Ban Bill to restrict the resale of tickets for live events above face value, assessing the potential impact on consumer protection, market behaviour and enforcement.
Discussion also comes alongside implementation of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, including a statutory data protection complaints regime from June 2026 and its more flexible rules on automated decision-making, as well as Ofcom's evolving responsibilities under the Online Safety Act 2023. Delegates will assess the interaction between consumer protection, data regulation and online safety, and what the developing framework means for businesses, digital platforms and marketplaces, resale operators, consumer bodies and regulators, as well as how consumer protection can balance against the Government's growth agenda.
Enforcement, compliance & consumer confidence
Sessions will examine how the CMA is using its direct enforcement powers, priorities emerging from early cases, how businesses and digital platforms are adapting to the new regime, and implications for marketplaces.
Overall, areas for discussion include:
- implementation: impact of the DMCCA consumer protection regime - coordination with data protection, online safety and digital markets regulation - areas of uncertainty for business
- direct enforcement: the CMA's use of its new powers, priorities and guidance - lessons from its enforcement and compliance work - proportionate compliance
- regulatory capacity: deterrence - resourcing - coordination with other regulators and Trading Standards - industry and consumer awareness
Subscription rules
With the new regime anticipated to commence in January 2027, the agenda includes a focus on next steps for preparations, effective business practice across subscription-based sectors, adapting to consumer-facing processes, and what rules will mean for consumers.
Overall, areas for discussion include:
- business preparation: pre-contract information and its presentation - operational burden - consumer awareness
- cancellation and renewal: practical requirements for cooling-off periods, auto-renewal and reminder notices - straightforward exit routes - refunds and remedies
- subscription traps: preventing terms that make exit disproportionately difficult - addressing unwanted and auto-renewing contracts
- misleading discounts: forthcoming consultation on addition to the list of prohibited commercial practices - approaches to enforcement
Online pricing, reviews & choice architecture
Delegates will consider next steps for tackling drip pricing, fake reviews and online choice architecture, and key issues for business and platform compliance.
Overall, areas for discussion include:
- pricing: addressing drip pricing, hidden fees and misleading urgency claims - automatic opt-ins for optional charges - price transparency
- reviews: tackling fake and misleading reviews and concealed incentives - detection - platform responsibilities - consumer trust
- choice architecture: reference pricing, time pressure and design features that influence purchasing decisions - countdown timers and default settings
Live event ticketing
Delegates will assess the Government's proposals to reform the secondary ticketing market and their implications for consumers, platforms and the live events sector.
Overall, areas for discussion include:
- Sporting Events Bill: permanent UK-wide framework for major sporting events, applied through secondary legislation - criminal offence for unauthorised resale of tickets for designated events
- draft Ticket Tout Ban Bill: proposals to restrict resale above original cost - caps on resale platform service fees
- compliance and enforcement: platform responsibilities - the CMA's role and penalties - risks of displacement to less-regulated resale channels
Data, AI & online safety
Further sessions consider how wider data and online safety policy affects consumers, and how AI-enabled services are changing online interactions.
Overall, areas for discussion include:
- data: implications of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 - personal data - complaints handling - protections for children and vulnerable users
- automated decision-making: AI agents and online sales practices - the DUAA's more flexible rules on automated decisions - risks for consumer autonomy
- tackling AI-driven risks: AI-generated reviews, personalised persuasion and profiling - how consumer data shapes online experiences
- responsible innovation: priorities for transparency - accountability for decisions influenced by algorithms or AI tools
- online safety: links between consumer protection and regulation - age assurance, platform design, algorithmic systems and regulator coordination - Ofcom’s responsibilities under the Online Safety Act 2023
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates.
