Matthew Buckwell

I am a senior associate in our Data Protection and Telecommunications Regulatory groups based in London and I advise clients on the global challenges facing the digital and communications sector as well as providing counsel on new technologies and their relationships with the use of data.

I advise on all aspects of digital and communications regulation with a focus on issues arising from telecommunications, cybersecurity and data protection regulation as well as other laws that impact the use of data.

Cyber security

I advise clients on a range of cybersecurity related issues, from incident response and notification, regulatory compliance with cybersecurity laws such as the UK NIS Regulations and EU NIS2 Directive, as well as product security compliance under the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022.

Telecommunications

With my telecommunications work, I advise on all aspects of telecommunications regulation from regulatory classification, global registrations/licensing, liaising with regulators and compliance with applicable regulatory requirements. I also advise on commercial telecommunications projects and infrastructure deals. The projects I work on can be local to the UK or global, multi-jurisdictional advice covering a number of jurisdictions.

Data Protection

My work with the data protection group is focused on providing concise commercial advice on the processing and use of personal and non-personal data by global companies. I use my experience with telecommunications regulation to provide bespoke advice to telecommunications companies on ePrivacy, interception and data retention requirements.

• Advising on implications of the EECC on various clients, including a social media company, and on the impact on OTT messaging services.
• Advising the GSMA on regulatory best practices for the promotion of mobile broadband infrastructure roll-out, in particular in emerging or small markets. This work involved benchmarking comparable regulatory policies affecting mobile broadband infrastructure deployment and advising on best practices that would take account of emerging markets, technology and regulatory trends including on the convergence of telecoms and broadcasting regulatory functions.
• Producing an assessment of the current regulatory regime for a telecommunications regulator. Ongoing advice and assistance in relation to the review of the regulatory regime and further integration of a converged regulator with broadcasting related functions.
• Preparation of regular reports on legal and regulatory developments in the telecommunications, data protection and competition markets in selected EU countries. Responsible for drafting EU and UK sections.
• Advising a major technology company on the contents of, and advocacy process relating to, disabled users' accessibility requirements applying under converging media and telecommunications laws across the EU.
• Advising a satellite company on the implications of the regulation of net neutrality in the EU in relation to the provision of in-flight Wi-Fi services.
• Advising an 'Internet of Things' provider (hardware and connectivity) on the implications of the roaming regulation and the regulatory implications of moving from MVNO status to MNO.
• Advising an OTT messaging service in relation to queries from the Information Commissioner's Office.
• Managing GDPR compliance projects and providing ad-hoc advice to various other clients.
• Advising a client in relation to an enforcement action by Ofcom.
• Advising on data protection issues pertaining to a master services agreement for international telecommunications services.
• Preparing matrixes of international telecommunications regulatory requirements for telecommunications services.
• Advising on lawful intercept rules.