UK Knowledge Collection | Personal data, in-game items, and competition law
Published on 13th February 2026
Welcome to this week's Knowledge Collection
The question of what amounts to personal data is a critical one under both EU and UK data protection law. The European Commission has made proposals to amend the definition in its digital omnibus simplification drive (about which the European Data Protection Board and European Data Protection Supervisor have recently expressed criticism). In our "Dipping into Data" webinar, later this month, our experts consider recent developments and how businesses can assess which data amounts to "personal data" in a variety of scenarios.
The Property (Digital Assets etc) Act 2025, which received royal assent in December 2025, is intended to remove a legal barrier that potentially could have prevented a court from determining that a particular "digital asset" is "property". It raises important questions for interactive entertainment businesses about how their in-game items are to be treated in law. Our Insight looks at the implications.
The Competition and Markets Authority has recently revised its merger remedies guidance, and overhauled its procedures. Our Insight explores what this means in practice for businesses.
Recent Insights
Landlords brace for the compliance and cost challenge of rising UK energy efficiency standards
The expectation is that the minimum rating for commercial properties will be raised to C and then B within the next five to 10 years. With a large proportion of commercial property thought to be below the EPC B threshold, landlords will need to make significant investments in their portfolios over the coming years in order to continue to let them lawfully.
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Hands off the gold: what the UK Property (Digital Assets) Act holds for in-game 'items' and digital accounts
The removal of a formal barrier to recognising digital assets as property does not, by itself, transform in‑game items or accounts into freely transferable or inheritable property.
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EDPB and EDPS release much-anticipated joint opinion on the EU Digital Omnibus
Despite their general support of the broader objective of the digital omnibus package, the joint opinion criticises several aspects of the Commission's approach to data law reform.
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The UK CMA updates its merger remedies guidance
Revised guidance clarifies the tests that the UK competition regulator will apply when choosing remedies, risks it will consider, and how parties can improve their chances of acceptance.
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Future Foods Takeaway | Brussels’ beef with plant-based food names
Europe's alternative foods sector awaits the outcome of EU negotiations on Commission proposals to ban 29 meat-related terms to describe products not derived from animals.
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Events
Navigating the changes under the Procurement Act: one year on
24 February | 09:30-10:45
On the anniversary of the Act coming into force, our experts will discuss issues that have arisen for suppliers and contracting authorities, including exclusion and debarment requirements, prompt payment terms, exemptions, and conflicts of interest.
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Dipping into Data: Is it even personal data?
24 February | 16:00-16:30
A look at the most important question in data protection law, including recent Court of Justice of the EU case law, regulatory guidance, and practical application to a few different scenarios.
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Where are we now and where are we going with ESG and employee rights?
3 March | Thames Valley Office | 09:00-11:30
An in-person update on managing litigation, regulatory and reputational risk, with a particular focus on ESG and employment law.
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Communications Review 2026
11 March | One London Wall | 15:00-17:45
This year's review will focus on how telecoms providers can future‑proof their networks and services amid rapid technological and regulatory change, with practical insights from industry speakers and our specialist telecoms team.
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