All United Kingdom articles
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ArticleClearview AI facing $22.6M fine over U.K. privacy violations
The U.K. Information Commissioner’s Office has warned Clearview AI it could face a £17 million (U.S. $22.6 million) fine over its use of people’s data to power its facial recognition software.
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U.K. Corporate Governance Code gaps remain despite reporting improvements
U.K. companies have improved corporate reporting—particularly on environmental and social issues—despite more instances of noncompliance with the Corporate Governance Code, according to the Financial Reporting Council’s latest review.
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FRC report sets quality expectations for U.K. audit firms
The U.K. Financial Reporting Council published a blueprint for how it wants audit firms to perform to ensure they deliver high-quality audits.
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U.K. Supreme Court decision on Google deals blow to class actions
Legal experts weigh in on the U.K. Supreme Court’s rejection of a claim that sought billions of pounds in damages from Google over alleged illegal tracking of millions of iPhones and what it means for future collective actions.
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When racist words, stereotypes are not in the eye of the beholder
A recent case involving discrimination allegations raised by a former compliance executive at Commerzbank serves as a reminder that sometimes people use words that hurt others’ feelings, but it doesn’t always mean the intention is there.
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Banks in crisis at CEO turning to chief risk officers
Two of the largest banks in Europe—Barclays and Danske Bank—have had to make abrupt pivots at the CEO position this year. Each has chosen to pass the baton to their former chief risk officer.
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Grant Thornton UK fined for ‘skepticism failures’ in Interserve audit
Grant Thornton UK received a “severe reprimand” and reduced penalty of £718,250 (U.S. $981,000) for breaches that arose in the context of audit work on the 2015-17 financial statements of now-collapsed construction firm Interserve.
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Barclays CEO Jes Staley steps down over Jeffrey Epstein links
Barclays CEO Jes Staley stepped down after a probe by British financial regulators looks to have found evidence his friendship with disgraced sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was closer than he had originally made out.
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FRC reporting review: COVID-19 disclosures lacking, new climate-related mandates
In its annual review of corporate reporting, the U.K. Financial Reporting Council found companies are struggling to provide stakeholders with enough detail about COVID-19 disruptions. The regulator also announced new requirements for climate-related disclosures.
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Facebook fined $70M for compliance breaches in Giphy probe
Facebook was fined £50 million (U.S. $69 million) for allegedly breaking U.K. competition rules while the firm is under investigation over its acquisition of Giphy. A separate penalty of £500,000 (U.S. $690,000) was also assessed related to CCO appointments.
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FRC launches probe of BDO over NMCN audit
The Financial Reporting Council announced the launch of an investigation into BDO in relation to its audit of U.K. construction and engineering company NMCN, which filed for administration earlier this month.
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Credit Suisse reaches $475M global resolution in corruption case
Credit Suisse Group and U.K. subsidiary Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) reached an approximately $475 million global settlement with U.S. and U.K. authorities for the bank’s role in a long-running tainted loan corruption scheme.
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SOS hand signal created for victims of modern slavery
U.K.-based philanthropic organization Stronger Together has created a new hand signal to empower victims of modern slavery to get help. Though developed for the construction sector, the signal can be adopted across any industry as a best practice.
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KPMG rapped for ‘untruthful defense’ in Silentnight investigation
KPMG and one of its former partners were found to be “untruthful” during an independent tribunal’s investigation into the audit firm’s advisory role regarding the sale of mattress company Silentnight to private equity firm HIG Capital.
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Petrofac fine fallout: Penalty too light for SFO to claim success?
Petrofac’s relatively low penalty for multiple bribery offenses might encourage companies to take their chances when faced with the choice of a possible criminal conviction or cutting a deal with the Serious Fraud Office, legal experts warn.
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NatWest pleads guilty in landmark U.K. money laundering case
National Westminster Bank pleaded guilty to landmark criminal charges brought by the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority for violations of the Money Laundering Regulations 2007.
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FRC investigating Mazars over French Connection audit
The U.K. Financial Reporting Council has begun an investigation into Mazars concerning its audit of financially ailing retail company French Connection Group, which has just been sold.
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Petrofac to pay $105M for widespread bribery scheme
Petrofac was ordered to pay £77 million (U.S. $105 million) to conclude a long-running investigation into allegations company executives paid to win lucrative oil contracts in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
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FRC probing Crowe over Akazoo audit
The U.K. Financial Reporting Council announced the start of an investigation into audit firm Crowe UK concerning the financial statements of Luxembourg-incorporated on-demand music streaming subscription company Akazoo.
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Grant Thornton UK fined $3.2M for Patisserie Valerie audit lapses
Grant Thornton UK has been fined £2.34 million (U.S. $3.2 million) by the Financial Reporting Council for failures in its audits of collapsed café chain Patisserie Valerie between 2015 and 2017.
