The Federal Trade Commission has cracked down on a California based online electronics retailer for allegedly posing as it was based in the U.K. so it could deceive residents there into thinking they had stronger consumer protections.

When U.K. consumers received the cameras, video games and other electronic items, they discovered they had been charged unexpected import duties, were left with invalid warranties, and would be charged hefty cancellation and refund fees if they tried to send the items back.

A survey of online poker players, following the seizure of gambling funds by the U.S. government has found more than half are not aware their money could be at risk.

The research by the U.K. based online gambling community Betfair, found more than three quarters of poker players have searched for what they consider to be safer sites.

Most UK music fans are still content buying a CD rather than downloading songs, according to research by The Leading Question and Music Ally.

Despite data indicating digital music will soon make CDs obsolete, the report found 73 percent of music fans are still happy buying CDs over downloading tracks. Interestingly 66 percent of 14-18 year olds favor CDs over downloads and 59 percent of all music fans still listen to CDs everyday.

Illegal file sharing in the UK has declined, most notably among teens, according to media and technology research firm The Leading Question.

The last national survey taken in December 2007, found 22 percent of teens regularly filed shared music tracks, but in January 2009 this was down to 17 percent, a comparative drop of nearly a quarter.

The biggest drop in those regularly file sharing occurred among 14-18 year olds. In 2007 42 percent of 14- 18 year olds were sharing files at least once a month. In January 2009 this was down to just 26 percent.

Business-related Twitter success stories exist – there’s the tale of Dell bringing in about $3 million in sales, for example.  But it seems that such stories may remain rare, as new Hitwise data suggests that Twitter users are much more interested in free online media than in spending money.

A British computer hacker wanted by the United States for "the biggest military hack of all time" begins a final fight today to avoid extradition.

Lawyers for Gary McKinnon, will argue in London’s High Court today that he is too ill to be sent to the United States for trial because he has Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism.

eBay is on a legal roll.  A little more than one week ago, a French court ruled that the auction company is not responsible for the sale of counterfeit L’Oreal products through its site.  Today, a UK court came to about the same conclusion. 

In what appears to be a first for a British rail transport operator, Twitter is being used to disseminate information to travelers concerning delays and changes to train operations.

When someone says the name University of Kentucky basketball, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? 7 National Championships, all time winningest program , tradition, Adolph Rupp, Twitter… wait, did I just say Twitter?

That’s right, these days it almost seems like whenever people talk about UK, the famed micro-blogging site is involved somehow.

If Hulu and YouTube have their way, it may not be long before UK citizens are spending a whole lot more time in front of their computer screens.  One fresh report says Hulu will possibly launch in the UK this September, while another claims YouTube is close to sealing some deals over full-length UK TV shows. 

Almost one in three Internet users are not shopping online in the UK due to lack of trust, according to a new report from the Office of Fair Trading.

John Fingleton

Of these Internet users, 30 percent identified a lack of trust as the main reason for holding them back, while 20 percent cited fears over personal security and 15 percent said they did not trust companies that sell online.

The ten most heavily used Web brands in the UK have it pretty good.  Insanely good, as a matter of fact.  A new report from Nielsen Online indicates that these ten brands (which were looked at along with 7,625 others) account for 45 percent of all UK Internet time.

Despite being a nascent industry in tough economic times, mobile advertising in the UK is growing at a faster rate than previously expected.

The IAB and PricewaterhouseCoopers research demonstrates that mobile advertising has experienced an impressive and steady growth in the UK in an overall declining market. In 2008, as more brands trialed and embraced the medium, spending increased by a whopping 99.2% to $44 million. 

After a long period of focusing on American content, it looks like Hulu’s going global.  One fresh deal has netted the site shows from the UK, while another partnership will result in the sharing of Bollywood films.  Plus, movement in the opposite direction – Hulu allowing access overseas – is being discussed.

An email ad campaign promoting the British film "Shifty" has been banned by a UK advertising watchdog for being "irresponsible."