Images are still loading please cancel your preview and try again shortly.
Accessibility tools

Tech Legal Outlook 2020:

Mid-Year Update

Tech Legal Outlook 2020: Mid-Year Update

We explore seven of the key global trends likely to shape the technology sector in 2020 and consider the legal implications for businesses.

The rapid outbreak of Covid-19 and the accompanying lockdown measures have dramatically changed life as we know it and transformed the business outlook for 2020. A striking feature of lockdown has been the need for a sudden shift to living and working online, and our continuing dependency on digital services for everything from healthcare to groceries, education to entertainment.

Covid-19 has accelerated existing trends and brought new momentum to the increased use of technology and data, digitisation and innovation across sectors such as healthcare and financial services, the rise of US and Chinese big tech, and protectionist policies seeking to safeguard national and regional interests.

From a legal perspective, there have been changes to the law and the approach of regulators. Steps have been taken to protect national interests and support individuals and businesses suffering financially. There are continuing regulatory investigations and enforcement activity and, going forward, we anticipate a renewed focus on regulating the digital economy.

7 Tech Trends at Mid-Year 2020

globe png

We have identified seven key global trends for the second half of 2020.

1

Tech in the spotlight – have we reached “peak privacy”?

As reliance on technology and data has increased dramatically through the crisis, some tension has emerged between the increased use of data and the restrictions on data analysis and disclosure that may be imposed by privacy laws, posing a key question: “Have we reached peak privacy?”
2

Regulation of Big Tech

The pandemic has accelerated the use of technology and data, and increased dependency on major tech companies. These tech companies have out-performed the market during the crisis and they are again in the regulatory spotlight. As a result, we expect to see further moves to regulate the digital economy in coming months.
3

Acceleration of digitalisation and the role of fintech

The lockdown measures implemented during the Covid-19 crisis have provided an extended proof of concept for a remote living and working model. This has accelerated digitalisation, with some commentators predicting that in the next 18 months, we may see digital transformation that would otherwise have taken five to seven years.
Visit our dedicated Technology sector page to find out more about our technology expertise and explore our thought leadership.
Technology at Linklaters

Featured technology thought leadership and resources

Net Zero Tech

Close X

Tech Legal Outlook – 2022 Mid-Year Update

Close X

Artificial Intelligence in Financial Services 2.0

Close X

Regulating the Digital Economy Series

Close X

Online Harms

Close X

Artificial Intelligence Toolkit

Close X

Digital Transformation: Be the facilitator of change

Close X

IPO Toolkit

Close X

Get involved or get left behind

Close X

DigiLinks Blog

Close X

FintechLinks blog

Insights, updates and news from our experienced Fintech lawyers around the world.

Close X

TechLinks

Close X
   
x Find a Lawyer