Technology law and policy

The current regulatory climate for digital technology is moving in the direction of increased regulation, but many of the far-reaching proposals for change have significant flaws. Those flaws often result from technologists misunderstanding how the law works and from lawyers and policy analysts not understanding technology. Few among the perceived problems associated with technology can be proportionately addressed through law. Failure to accept that poses a risk not just to some abstract notion of ‘innovation’. It threatens the essence of the opportunities we now have to communicate, to form communities, and to work or trade. It also threatens our security and privacy.

My current projects include research on legally-mandated financial surveillance (AML/CFT, especially for cryptocurrencies) and on legal liability associated with automated trading in cryptocurrencies (MEV). I also follow closely the EU Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act. I’m particularly concerned with making sure that regulation doesn’t lead to the worsening of user privacy and security.

In my work on technology law and policy, I build on my background in UK and EU public law, legal philosophy and technology.

My current teaching includes:

• Privacy and Data Governance — an optional module for final-year law students at the University of Surrey School of Law.
• Ethics and Regulation of Artificial Intelligence — a compulsory module on the MSc in AI course offered by the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Surrey.

My research affiliations (read more):

• Research Associate at the University of Oxford.
• Senior Scholar at the International Center for Law & Economics.