Ofcom probes mobile phone firm’s steep in-contract price spikes December 1, 2022 Ofcom has launched an industry-wide probe into whether in-contract price rises were set out clearly enough by big telecom firms. After analysing customer complaints and preliminary evidence, the watchdog expressed concern that some companies had not been transparent enough about price spikes during customer contracts. Under Ofcom rules, providers must set out any future changes [...]
Google sued by 130,000 firms over ad dominance November 30, 2022 Google has been sued in a claim by 130,000 firms that argue its advertising strategy has cost them billions of pounds in lost revenues. The competition claim valued at up to £13.6bn at the Competition Appeal Tribunal accuses Google and its parent firm Alphabet of abusing its dominant position in online advertising and “earning super-profits [...]
Former Google exec Gill Whitehead named Ofcom lead for online safety November 30, 2022 A former Google executive will be joining Ofcom to oversee its new duties as the regulator for online safety. Gill Whitehead will head up the media watchdog’s Online Safety Group from April 2023, reporting to chief exec Dame Melanie Dawes. Whitehead currently leads the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DRCF) which oversees the digital expertise of four member regulators: the [...]
World Cup: England v Wales peaks at 17.6m viewers on BBC November 30, 2022 England v Wales peaked at 17.6m viewers on BBC One last night as the Welsh get knocked out of the tournament. The whopping figure does not include people watching in public spaces or people using a streaming service, according to data from Digital i. The numbers smash viewing figures from the Lions’ first game of [...]
Royal Mail boss pushes back against claims union members intimidated during strike days November 30, 2022 Royal Mail chief Simon Thompson pushes back against claims that union members are being intimidated as strike action continues today. Speaking on Sky News this morning, the delivery boss said: “On strike action days we’ve seen some extraordinary behaviours,” including allegations of sexism, racism and threats of violence. Thompson said it is not something Royal [...]
Klarna targets 2023 profits despite swelling losses November 30, 2022 Buy-now pay-later giant Klarna said it was targeting profitability in the second half of 2023 despite losses nearly doubling in the third quarter of the year. In its third quarter results today, the Swedish-headquartered fintech firm said losses had swelled to SEK 2.13bn (£170m) in the three months to the end of September, up from SEK [...]
Future tops profit expectations with acquisitions and US push November 30, 2022 Publisher of The Week Future tops profit expectations as it continues to diversify offering with fresh buys and push into the States. Full year revenue climbed 36 per cent to £825.4m, reflecting a combination of continued organic growth and acquisitions. Adjusted operating profit topped expectations, jumping 39 per cent to £271.7m, with 11 per cent [...]
Profits plunge for Pennon as inflation bites November 30, 2022 Profits dipped for Pennon this half year as inflationary pressures get the better of the water services group. Underlying profit before tax slumped 75 per cent compared to 2021 levels, reflecting the near-term pressures on earnings from inflation driven power pricing and financing costs. Profit before tax was £20.9m for Pennon, down from £79.9m in [...]
Martin Lewis says govt ‘abrogated its responsibility’ over fighting Big Tech scams November 29, 2022 Consumer rights campaigner Martin Lewis has revealed that a senior official said it was easier for him to tackle Big Tech scams than it was for the government to regulate it. Speaking at a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) sub-committee this morning, the financial journalist-turned-consumer champion discussed his legal battle with Facebook after over [...]
Editors call for law change to stop oligarchs silencing press November 29, 2022 A group of UK journalists have banded together to call on the justice secretary, Dominic Raab, to back a proposed law to tackle “abusive legal tactics to shut down investigations” The letter, signed by the editors of the Guardian and the Daily Mail, has urged the government to address the “endemic” use of strategic lawsuits against [...]
