On 8th June 2016 Kat Hadjimatheou and Christopher Nathan hosted a workshop in collaboration with the College of Policing to explore fundamental questions about the practice of undercover policing in the UK. A full report, including recommendations that arose from the meeting, is available here.

Tom Sorell presented a paper on the ethics of bulk collection to the conference Security Ethics: Current Trends and Developments, held at Leeds University Law School .

The IERG is delighted to announce that it has recently been awarded new grants to undertake research into: privacy, security and trust in the Internet of Things; the use of social media in a public security context; the ethical issues raised by new technologies; and the detection and prevention of mass marketing fraud. Click through for futher details.

As part of IERG's work on the HECTOS project we hosted two meetings exploring the ways in which privacy by design can be integrated into the standardisation and certification of security products. The meetings heard presentations from product manufacturers, legal experts, product testing houses and providers of privacy seals and other kinds of certification. Agendas for each of the meetings can be found here: PbD in Person Scanners Brussels Meeting PbD in Biometrics London

Duncan Hine and the Industry Parliament Trust organized this Policy Workshop at Portcullis House where the attendees heard from businesses affected by the sale of counterfeited goods and those who have to police the issue in both the UK and internationally. The event is associated with Prof. Tom Sorell's Global Uncertainties Leadership Fellowship.

The trade of illicit goods puts a significant burden on the UK economy. Illicit trade amounts to around £90bn each year. All parts of the retail sector suffer with consumers often unaware of the dangers of fake toys, clothing, cosmetics, tobacco and medicines. Additionally business lose trade to 'black market' goods, and manufacturers suffer reputational damage through illicitly branded products.

Meanwhile, public agencies are fighting to ensure standards are maintained across the retail sector as well as tackling the sale of counterfeit goods. Recognising the rising problem of illicit trading, the 2015 Budget increased funding to combat the problem.