Access Archives | Digital Watch Observatory

Ofcom fines adult site over age check failures

Ofcom has imposed an £80,000 fine on pornography provider First Time Videos LLC after finding that the company failed to implement legally required age assurance measures under the Online Safety Act.

The regulator concluded that the provider failed to implement the ‘highly effective’ age assurance measures required to prevent children from accessing pornographic content. According to Ofcom, robust age assurance measures are a central requirement of the UK’s online safety framework and play a key role in protecting minors online.

Alongside the enforcement action, Ofcom announced its provisional view that xgroovy.com may also have failed to comply with age assurance obligations under the legislation. The regulator further expanded an existing investigation into Sun Social Media Inc. to cover an additional adult website operated by the company.

Ofcom said the penalty was determined with regard to the size and turnover of the service, ensuring that the sanction remained proportionate while reinforcing compliance expectations across the sector.

Why does it matter?

The decision marks an important milestone in the implementation of the UK’s Online Safety Act, demonstrating that age assurance requirements are moving beyond policy commitments into active regulatory enforcement. By imposing financial penalties on non-compliant providers, Ofcom is signalling that online platforms hosting adult content will be expected to adopt effective measures to prevent children’s access.

The case also reflects a broader international trend towards stronger child online safety regulation. Governments and regulators increasingly view age assurance technologies as a key tool for protecting minors in digital environments, while balancing concerns around privacy, proportionality and implementation. Future enforcement actions could shape how platforms design and deploy age verification systems both in the UK and beyond.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

European Parliament backs AI Act simplification and nudifier app ban

The European Parliament has approved amendments to parts of the EU AI Act as part of the digital omnibus package, postponing some compliance deadlines while adding a ban on AI systems used to create non-consensual sexually explicit content.

MEPs backed the changes with 423 votes in favour, 57 against and 174 abstentions. The measures are intended to simplify compliance for companies while preserving the AI Act’s risk-based structure and core safeguards.

Under the approved text, obligations for stand-alone high-risk AI systems would apply from 2 December 2027. Obligations for AI systems embedded as safety components in products covered by the EU sectoral safety and market surveillance legislation would apply from 2 August 2028.

The text also delays the obligation to watermark AI-generated content until 2 December 2026. By then, AI-generated content will need to be labelled in a machine-readable way to support transparency.

Parliament also approved a ban on AI systems that generate child sexual abuse material or create images, videos or audio depicting an identifiable person’s intimate parts or sexually explicit activities without consent. Providers would not be allowed to place such systems on the EU market unless they include adequate technical safeguards to prevent the creation of such material. The ban would also apply to deployers using systems for that purpose.

Other changes include removing overlapping requirements for AI used in machinery products, clarifying the definition of ‘safety component’, extending some SME exemptions to small mid-cap enterprises, and streamlining enforcement of certain general-purpose AI systems through the EU AI Office.

The legislation still needs formal adoption by the Council before it can enter into force.

Why does it matter?

The vote shows the EU trying to adjust the implementation AI the AI Act without reopening the law’s overall risk-based architecture. Delaying some deadlines could reduce legal uncertainty for businesses and give standards, guidance, and support measures more time to mature. At the same time, the proposed ban on nudification tools and AI-assisted child sexual abuse material addresses a fast-growing harm linked to generative AI, especially image and video manipulation targeting women and minors.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Australian Finance Department releases internal AI guidance

Australia’s Department of Finance has publicly released internal guidance on generative AI under the Freedom of Information Act 1982, outlining how staff and contractors should use AI tools in their work.

The guidance, dated March and April 2026, applies to tools including Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat, Microsoft 365 Copilot full licences, and public generative AI services such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. It says AI tools can improve productivity and service delivery, but also carry risks that must be understood and managed.

Staff intending to use AI tools must complete the APS Academy’s AI in Government Fundamentals course. Staff are also encouraged to build prompting skills in a secure environment through GovAI’s Interactive Learning Environment and discuss approved AI use cases with managers.

The guidance says staff must use generative AI safely, responsibly, and ethically, in line with departmental policies and APS values. The guidance states that AI should support, rather than replace, human judgement and that final decisions must always be made by people, not AI systems.

The document also sets limits on the information that can be entered into AI tools. Public generative AI tools may be used with non-sensitive official and unofficial information, but staff must not enter personal, sensitive, classified or protected information. Copilot Chat and Copilot full licence in web mode are also restricted from use with personal, sensitive, classified, or protected information.

Finance’s enterprise-grade Copilot full licence operating in work mode permits broader use within the department’s ICT environment, including sensitive and protected information where an AI use case has been formally registered. Staff seeking to use personal information with Copilot full licence must complete a Privacy Impact Threshold Assessment and consult the Privacy Team.

The guidance also requires staff to register some AI use cases through Finance’s AI Use Case Register. Registration is required for certain uses involving personal, sensitive, classified, or protected information, while paid AI tools or systems require consultation or approval before procurement.

Staff are required to disclose AI use when AI-generated content significantly influences decision-making, could reasonably be mistaken for human-generated content, has not been reviewed by a subject-matter expert, or where legal or ethical obligations require disclosure.

The department says AI use is overseen by an AI Governance Committee responsible for promoting AI strategy, supporting safe implementation, advising on ethical, legal and social responsibilities, and ensuring compliance with government legislation, regulations and standards.

The guidance says Finance governs AI in line with the Digital Transformation Agency’s Policy for the responsible use of AI in government, Australia’s AI Ethics Principles, the Pilot Australian Government AI assurance framework, and the Protective Security Policy Framework. It says the department has limited its use of AI to low-risk use cases.

Why does it matter?

The guidance provides a practical example of how governments are translating high-level AI principles into operational rules for everyday use. Rather than focusing solely on ethics frameworks, it addresses concrete issues such as training requirements, approved tools, data handling, disclosure obligations and governance processes.

The document also highlights a broader challenge facing public administrations worldwide. As generative AI becomes part of routine government work, agencies must balance productivity gains with privacy, security, transparency and accountability requirements. Australia’s approach illustrates how governments are seeking to enable AI adoption while maintaining human oversight and limiting risks associated with sensitive information.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Debate grows over UK’s proposed social media ban for under-16s

Amnesty International has challenged the British government’s decision to introduce a social media ban for under-16s, arguing that it targets children rather than the design choices made by digital platforms.

Responding to the announcement, Amnesty International UK chief executive Kerry Moscogiuri said the government had correctly identified the risks facing young people online but had chosen the wrong solution.

Amnesty argued that social media companies have developed products and business models that prioritise engagement and profit over children’s well-being, privacy and rights.

The organisation argues that social media platforms should be redesigned and regulated more effectively rather than restricting access for young users. The organisation argued that social media remains an important space where children and teenagers learn, communicate with friends, access support networks and participate in public life.

The human rights group is calling for stronger platform regulation, including restrictions on invasive profiling, hyper-personalised recommendation systems, autoplay features and infinite scrolling.

Amnesty also called for stronger protections for children’s privacy and personal data, arguing that responsibility for online safety should rest primarily with technology companies rather than young users.

Ofcom supports further assessment of child online safety measures

In a letter to Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, Ofcom chief executive Dame Melanie Dawes said the regulator had begun examining age-assurance options and would provide an assessment by the end of October 2026 to support parliamentary consideration of the proposals.

The regulator also pledged to continue prioritising enforcement of existing child protection measures under the Online Safety Act and confirmed it will publish reports on enforcement outcomes and evaluate the impact of the proposed ban within a year of implementation.

Why does it matter?

The debate highlights two competing approaches to child online safety. One approach focuses on restricting access to social media for younger users, while the other seeks to address the design features and business models that critics argue contribute to online harms.

The discussion also reflects broader questions about platform accountability, children’s rights and digital governance. As governments around the world consider age restrictions, age verification requirements and online safety measures, policymakers continue to grapple with how to balance child protection, privacy, freedom of expression and access to digital services.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

EU extends Cybersecurity Reserve support to Ukraine

Ukraine can now activate emergency EU cyber support during significant or large-scale cybersecurity incidents after the Council of the European Union approved its inclusion in the EU Cybersecurity Reserve.

The Reserve, managed by the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity, provides incident response services from trusted private-sector providers to help contain and mitigate major cyber incidents.

The European Commission said the decision reflects closer EU-Ukraine cooperation and forms part of wider efforts to strengthen preparedness, rapid response and shared expertise against evolving cyber threats.

The move also aligns with the EU’s strategic digital partnership agenda and follows Moldova’s inclusion in the Cybersecurity Reserve in 2024 under the Cyber Solidarity Act.

European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen said Ukraine’s inclusion strengthens collective cyber defences and reaffirms European solidarity at a time of persistent cyber threats.

Why does it matter?

Ukraine’s inclusion in the Cybersecurity Reserve extends EU cyber crisis support to a country facing sustained cyber pressure linked to geopolitical conflict. The decision shows how the EU is using the Cyber Solidarity Act and related mechanisms not only for internal resilience, but also for strategic partnerships. It also strengthens the role of ENISA-coordinated incident response services and trusted private providers in Europe’s wider cyber crisis management framework.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

UNESCO expands gender-responsive digital education training in Tanzania

UNESCO has completed the second cohort of its Teacher Educator Training on Gender-Responsive Pedagogy for Inclusive Digital Education in Tanzania.

The initiative, delivered in partnership with Beijing Normal University (BNU) and Tanzania’s Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, trained 30 teacher educators from the University of Dodoma (UDOM) and Mkwawa University College of Education (MUCE).

The programme forms part of the UNESCO–BNU project ‘Closing the Digital Divide: Ensuring Gender-Transformative Digital Skills Education for Women and Girls‘. Participants received practical training in gender-responsive pedagogy, inclusive digital learning and strategies to encourage greater participation by girls in ICT and STEM fields.

According to UNESCO, the training focused on helping educators identify and address barriers that may discourage girls from pursuing digital skills development and careers in technology. Through workshops, peer learning, case studies, and practical exercises, participants explored approaches to creating more inclusive and equitable learning environments.

With the completion of the second cohort, the initiative has now trained 60 teacher educators from four Tanzanian higher education institutions: UDOM, MUCE, the Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE), and the Open University of Tanzania (OUT).

UNESCO expects the trained educators to pass on the knowledge and skills acquired through the programme to future teachers, creating a multiplier effect across Tanzania’s education system.

The project is now entering a new phase focused on strengthening Girls in ICT Clubs in 20 secondary schools across Tanzania. Planned activities include mentorship programmes, innovation bootcamps, ICT training and engagement with female role models aimed at encouraging girls’ participation in technology and STEM disciplines.

Why does it matter?

Digital skills are increasingly essential for participation in education, employment, and the wider economy. However, gender gaps in access to technology and STEM opportunities continue to limit the participation of women and girls in many parts of the world.

By equipping teacher educators with gender-responsive teaching approaches and supporting girls’ engagement with ICT and STEM, the UNESCO–BNU initiative seeks to address barriers at multiple levels of the education system. The programme also highlights the role of education and capacity development in promoting digital inclusion and expanding opportunities for future generations.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

EY Malta expands AI in audit services

EY Malta has introduced enterprise-scale agentic AI across its Assurance services, integrating the technology into EY Canvas, the firm’s global audit platform.

The rollout forms part of EY’s wider global strategy to embed AI into audit workflows and support audit quality, risk assessment, and client insights.

EY said the AI-enabled framework helps auditors analyse large volumes of data, assess risks, and access updated auditing and accounting guidance in real time. The firm said the technology is designed to support, not replace, auditors, with professional judgement and human oversight remaining central to the audit process.

The system is integrated with Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Foundry, and Microsoft Fabric, reflecting EY’s broader global partnership with Microsoft on the secure and scalable deployment of AI.

EY said the rollout follows global testing and is part of its long-term investment in audit quality, technology, and workforce development. The firm added that further AI enhancements are planned over the coming years as audit teams use the tools across more stages of the audit process.

EY Malta also highlighted related assurance and advisory services linked to AI readiness, governance, and risk management. The firm said the technology would allow teams in Malta to focus more on risk and audit quality while reducing administrative work.

Why does it matter?

The rollout shows how agentic AI is moving into regulated professional services, including audit, where accuracy, accountability, and human judgement remain central. AI could help auditors analyse larger datasets and focus on higher-risk areas. Still, it also raises questions about oversight, explainability, skills, liability, and how regulators assess AI-supported audit work.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Greece launches platform to track public service requests in real time

Greece has launched politis.gov.gr, a new digital platform that allows citizens to track the progress of requests submitted to public administration services in real time. The initiative forms part of the government’s wider digital transformation agenda and aims to strengthen trust between citizens and the state.

Using their TaxisNet credentials, citizens can monitor applications submitted from 1 June 2026 onwards through the new platform. Users can view the current processing stage of a request, identify the responsible department, access contact details and review estimated completion timelines. Automatic notifications are also sent via email whenever a case is registered or updated.

Government officials described the platform as part of a broader cultural shift towards greater transparency and accountability in public administration. Instead of requiring citizens to repeatedly contact services for updates, the system provides a transparent digital record of every stage of the process. Authorities say the platform can reduce administrative burdens while improving accountability and the quality of public services.

The platform also creates a centralised view of a citizen’s interactions with public services, offering a complete history of cases and transactions with the state. According to the Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence, the platform represents another step towards a more efficient, citizen-centred and digitally enabled public sector.

Why does it matter?

Governments across Europe are increasingly using digital technologies to improve public service delivery and strengthen trust in public institutions. Providing citizens with real-time visibility into administrative processes can reduce uncertainty, improve transparency and limit the need for repeated interactions with government offices.

The platform also reflects Greece’s broader digital transformation efforts, which aim to streamline public administration, reduce bureaucracy and improve the overall user experience of government services.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Armenia expands AI ecosystem through research, infrastructure and investment

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said government initiatives have helped position Armenia as an emerging centre for technology and AI, according to remarks reported by state news agency Armenpress. Speaking during the election campaign, Pashinyan highlighted several projects that he said demonstrate the government’s efforts to strengthen Armenia’s technology sector.

Pashinyan highlighted agreements signed with US President Donald Trump last year, including cooperation on AI. He argued that subsequent developments in the sector have validated the government’s approach.

As examples of progress, the Prime Minister cited the establishment of an AI centre at Yerevan State University and the launch of the Eleveight AI data centre. He also linked developments in the sector to increased public investment in science and higher salaries for researchers.

Pashinyan said investment in the defence sector has supported technological development and stated that Armenian defence companies are exporting products internationally. He made the remarks during campaigning ahead of Armenia’s parliamentary elections.

Why does it matter?

Armenia is seeking to expand its role in emerging technologies at a time when countries are increasingly investing in AI infrastructure, research capacity and digital innovation as drivers of economic growth and competitiveness.

The government’s focus on AI cooperation, research institutions and data centre infrastructure reflects broader efforts to strengthen domestic technological capabilities and attract investment in the digital economy.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

IWF, PIR and NetBeacon expand cooperation against online child abuse content

The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) has announced a new partnership with Public Interest Registry (PIR) and the NetBeacon Institute aimed at strengthening efforts to identify and disrupt online child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

The initiative introduces a reporting mechanism that enables suspected child sexual abuse content to be reported through NetBeacon Reporter alongside existing DNS abuse categories, including phishing, malware and spam. Reports are forwarded to IWF analysts, who assess the material under UK law and initiate appropriate action when illegal content is confirmed.

The partnership also expands registrars’ access to IWF domain protection services. Through PIR sponsorship, registrars will be able to access IWF Domain Alerts and the Top-Level Domain Hopping List free of charge.

According to the organisations, the programme already covers approximately 55 million domains and is intended to make it more difficult for criminals to use domain infrastructure to host or distribute child sexual abuse material.

Why does it matter?

Child sexual abuse material remains a significant online safety challenge, requiring coordination across platforms, hosting providers, registries and registrars. Integrating CSAM reporting into existing DNS abuse workflows could help speed up the identification of illegal content and improve coordination between reporting mechanisms and domain operators.

The initiative also reflects growing efforts to use domain-level tools and threat intelligence services to disrupt the infrastructure that supports the distribution of harmful and illegal content online.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!