First research requests to access Big Tech data are under review, EU official says
May 20, 2026
| Sara Brandstätter
Big Tech’s internal data is the subject of almost 50 access requests filed by researchers to date under the EU’s Digital Services Act, a European Commission official has said. While no researcher has yet obtai... (more story)
Big Tech’s data use in Australian social media ban rollout monitored by watchdog
May 20, 2026
| Sara Brandstätter
Social media platforms operating in Australia are mostly using age-estimation and data-inference tools — rather than age verification with government ID checks — to enforce the social media ban for children, t... (more story)
Google, Amazon, Microsoft face further delay in EU’s cloud and AI development bill
May 19, 2026
| Matthew Newman
Google, Amazon and Microsoft are facing another delay in the EU’s legislative proposal on cloud and AI development, marking another setback for the EU’s broader tech sovereignty agenda. OVHcloud, SAP and Deuts... (more story)
UK privacy chief's secret absence known to 'staff and stakeholders,’ letter says
May 19, 2026
| Patricia Figueiredo
Details of how the UK privacy watchdog is operating after Information Commissioner John Edwards stepped back pending a human resources probe have emerged in a letter to lawmakers from the authority's chief exe... (more story)
EU 'open internet' principles reaffirmed in debate over telecom rules revamp
May 18, 2026
| Matthew Newman
A revamp of the EU’s telecom rules won’t weaken "open internet" principles that ensure that network traffic is treated equally by service providers, EU digital chief Henna Virkkunen reaffirmed on Monday. The E... (more story)
Platforms, influencers, AI services need stricter EU media rules, Germany says
May 18, 2026
| Júlia Tar
Platforms, influencers and some AI services should be brought under stricter media obligations as part of an overhaul of the EU’s audiovisual media rules, while outdated restrictions on broadcasters should be ... (more story)
UK intimate image abuse rules sharpen expectations for platforms, search engines
May 18, 2026
| Patricia Figueiredo
Platforms and search services should use hash-matching technology in the UK to detect non-consensual intimate images, including AI-generated deepfakes, under amendments to Ofcom’s codes confirmed. The measures... (more story)
India eyes global IP leadership in AI, 6G and electronics
May 18, 2026
| Freny Patel
India’s patent and telecom leaders urged a shift toward design-led innovation, stronger intellectual property creation and commercialization, positioning artificial intelligence, 6G and indigenous technology o... (more story)