Morning, Tuesday, 10th November 2026
Online
The conference will consider next steps for online consumer protection policy, regulation and enforcement in the UK. Areas for discussion include implementation of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, regulation of subscription contracts and online ticket resale, the Competition and Markets Authority’s enhanced enforcement powers, and the interaction between consumer protection, data regulation and online safety.
It will bring key stakeholders and policymakers together to discuss implementation of new online consumer measures, including the forthcoming subscription contracts regime, the Sporting Events Bill, and proposals being taken forward through the draft Ticket Tout Ban Bill to restrict the resale of tickets for live events above face value.
Delegates will assess potential implications of the new subscription rules for businesses and consumers, including preparations for their expected commencement in spring 2027, and priorities for reducing unwanted subscriptions. Further discussion is expected on proposals to reform the secondary ticketing market, including a prohibition on reselling live-event tickets above their original cost, and the potential impact on consumer protection, market behaviour and enforcement.
Guidance & regulatory enforcement
Sessions will examine how the CMA has taken forward enhanced direct enforcement powers following their introduction in 2025. Discussion will explore the CMA’s approach to drip pricing, fake reviews and online choice architecture, alongside findings and emerging lessons from its enforcement and compliance work, to inform priorities for future enforcement, guidance and market engagement. The conference will also assess implications of the new enforcement framework for businesses, the adequacy of regulatory capacity and resourcing, and wider questions relating to deterrence and the relationship between consumer protection and economic growth.
Online safety
The agenda will also consider the contribution of wider policy and legislation to online consumer protection, including implementation of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, Ofcom’s responsibilities under the Online Safety Act 2023 and the future development of online safety policy. There will be discussion on implications for the use of personal data, automated decision-making and protections for vulnerable consumers, alongside the relationship between the online safety agenda and consumer protection regulation.
Overview of areas for discussion
- policy:
- implementation of the DMCCA consumer protection regime - coordination with wider data protection, online safety and digital markets regulation
- maintaining consumer confidence - effective enforcement - proportionate compliance in support of growth objectives
- regulatory enforcement and market engagement:
- the CMA’s use of direct consumer enforcement powers - priorities, guidance and compliance
- insights from work on drip pricing, fake reviews and online choice architecture - implications for future enforcement and business practice
- regulatory capacity - deterrence - industry and consumer awareness - coordination with other regulators
- subscription contracts:
- implementation of the new subscription contracts regime ahead of spring 2027 commencement - business readiness and consumer awareness
- cancellation processes, auto-renewal and reminder notices - refunds and remedies - addressing subscription traps and unwanted contracts
- live event ticketing:
- the Sporting Events Bill, currently progressing through Parliament - measures relating to unauthorised ticketing activity around specified major sporting events
- the draft Ticket Tout Ban Bill - proposals to restrict resale above original cost - implications for consumers, platforms and the live events sector
- platform compliance - service fees - enforcement responsibilities - risks around displacement to less regulated resale channels
- online pricing, reviews and clarity on choice:
- addressing drip pricing, hidden fees and misleading urgency claims - automatic opt-ins for optional charges
- tackling misleading reviews and concealed incentives - detection, platform responsibilities and consumer trust
- tackling harmful uses of online choice architecture - reference pricing, time pressure and design features that influence purchasing decisions
- data, AI and online safety:
- implications of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 for consumer data, complaints handling, children and vulnerable users
- automated decision-making, AI agents and online sales practices - risks for consumer autonomy, transparency and accountability
- links between consumer protection and online safety regulation - age assurance, platform design, algorithmic systems and regulator coordination
