Child safety online

UK moves to curb AI-generated child abuse imagery with pre-release testing

The UK government plans to let approved organisations test AI models before release to ensure they cannot generate child sexual abuse material. The amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill aims to build safeguards into AI tools at the design stage rather than after deployment.

The Internet Watch Foundation reported 426 AI-related abuse cases this year, up from 199 in 2024. Chief Executive Kerry Smith said the move could make AI products safer before they are launched. The proposal also extends to detecting extreme pornography and non-consensual intimate images.

The NSPCC’s Rani Govender welcomed the reform but said testing should be mandatory to make child safety part of product design. Earlier this year, the Home Office introduced new offences for creating or distributing AI tools used to produce abusive imagery, punishable by up to five years in prison.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the law would ensure that trusted groups can verify the safety of AI systems. In contrast, Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips said it would help prevent predators from exploiting legitimate tools.

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

Brussels leak signals GDPR and AI Act adjustments

The European Commission is preparing a Digital Package on simplification for 19 November. A leaked draft outlines instruments covering GDPR, ePrivacy, Data Act and AI Act reforms.

Plans include a single breach portal and a higher reporting threshold. Authorities would receive notifications within 96 hours, with standardised forms and narrower triggers. Controllers could reject or charge for data subject access requests used to pursue disputes.

Cookie rules would shift toward browser-level preference signals respected across services. Aggregated measurement and security uses would not require popups, while GDPR lawful bases expand. News publishers could receive limited exemptions recognising reliance on advertising revenues.

Drafting recognises legitimate interest for training AI models on personal data. Narrow allowances are provided for sensitive data during development, along with EU-wide data protection impact assessment templates. Critics warn proposals dilute safeguards and may soften the AI Act.

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

UK strengthens AI safeguards to protect children online

The UK government is introducing landmark legislation to prevent AI from being exploited to generate child sexual abuse material. The new law empowers authorised bodies, such as the Internet Watch Foundation, to test AI models and ensure safeguards prevent misuse.

Reports of AI-generated child abuse imagery have surged, with the IWF recording 426 cases in 2025, more than double the 199 cases reported in 2024. The data also reveals a sharp rise in images depicting infants, increasing from five in 2024 to 92 in 2025.

Officials say the measures will enable experts to identify vulnerabilities within AI systems, making it more difficult for offenders to exploit the technology.

The legislation will also require AI developers to build protections against non-consensual intimate images and extreme content. A group of experts in AI and child safety will be established to oversee secure testing and ensure the well-being of researchers.

Ministers emphasised that child safety must be built into AI systems from the start, not added as an afterthought.

By collaborating with the AI sector and child protection groups, the government aims to make the UK the safest place for children to be online. The approach strikes a balance between innovation and strong protections, thereby reinforcing public trust in AI.

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

Denmark’s new chat control plan raises fresh privacy concerns

Denmark has proposed an updated version of the EU’s controversial ‘chat control’ regulation, shifting from mandatory to voluntary scanning of private messages. Former MEP Patrick Breyer has warned, however, that the revision still threatens Europeans’ right to private communication.

Under the new plan, messaging providers could choose to scan chats for illegal material, but without a clear requirement for court orders. Breyer argued that this sidesteps the European Parliament’s position, which insists on judicial authorisation before any access to communications.

He also criticised the proposal for banning under-16s from using messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram, claiming such restrictions would prove ineffective and easily bypassed. In addition, the plan would effectively outlaw anonymous communication, requiring users to verify their identities through IDs.

Privacy advocates say the Danish proposal could set a dangerous precedent by eroding fundamental digital rights. Civil society groups have urged EU lawmakers to reject measures that compromise secure, anonymous communication essential for journalists and whistleblowers.

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

OpenAI unveils Teen Safety Blueprint for responsible AI

OpenAI has launched the Teen Safety Blueprint to guide responsible AI use for young people. The roadmap guides policymakers and developers on age-appropriate design, safeguards, and research to protect teen well-being and promote opportunities.

The company is implementing these principles across its products without waiting for formal regulation. Recent measures include stronger safeguards, parental controls, and an age-prediction system to customise AI experiences for under-18 users.

OpenAI emphasises that protecting teens is an ongoing effort. Collaboration with parents, experts, and young people will help improve AI safety continuously while shaping how technology can support teens responsibly over the long term.

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

New law aims to make the internet safer in Singapore

Singapore’s Parliament has passed the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Bill, a landmark law designed to provide faster protection and redress for victims of online harm. After over eight hours of debate, MPs approved the Bill, which will establish the Online Safety Commission (OSC) by June 2026, a one-stop agency empowered to direct online platforms, group administrators, and internet service providers to remove harmful content or restrict the accounts of perpetrators.

The move follows findings that social media platforms often take five days or more to act on harmful content reports, leaving victims exposed to harassment and abuse.

The new law introduces civil remedies and enforcement powers for a wide range of online harms, including harassment, doxing, stalking, intimate image abuse, and child exploitation. Victims can seek compensation for lost income or force perpetrators to surrender profits gained from harmful acts.

In severe cases, individuals or entities that ignore OSC orders may face fines of up to S$500,000, and daily penalties may be applied until compliance is achieved. The OSC can also order access blocks or app removals for persistent offenders.

Ministers Josephine Teo, Rahayu Mahzam, and Edwin Tong emphasised that the Bill aims to empower victims rather than punish expression, while ensuring privacy safeguards. Victims will be able to request the disclosure of a perpetrator’s identity to pursue civil claims, though misuse of such data, such as doxing in retaliation, will be an offence. The law also introduces a ‘no wrong door’ approach, ensuring that victims will not have to navigate multiple agencies to seek help.

Singapore joins a small group of nations, such as Australia, that have created specialised agencies for digital safety. The government hopes the OSC will help rebuild trust in online spaces and establish new norms for digital behaviour.

As Minister Teo noted, ‘Our collective well-being is compromised when those who are harmed are denied restitution. By fostering trust in online spaces, Singaporeans can participate safely and confidently in our digital society.’

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

Social media platforms ordered to enforce minimum age rules in Australia

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has formally notified major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube, that they must comply with new minimum age restrictions from 10 December.

The rule will require these services to prevent social media users under 16 from creating accounts.

eSafety determined that nine popular services currently meet the definition of age-restricted platforms since their main purpose is to enable online social interaction. Platforms that fail to take reasonable steps to block underage users may face enforcement measures, including fines of up to 49.5 million dollars.

The agency clarified that the list of age-restricted platforms will not remain static, as new services will be reviewed and reassessed over time. Others, such as Discord, Google Classroom, and WhatsApp, are excluded for now as they do not meet the same criteria.

Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said the new framework aims to delay children’s exposure to social media and limit harmful design features such as infinite scroll and opaque algorithms.

She emphasised that age limits are only part of a broader effort to build safer, more age-appropriate online environments supported by education, prevention, and digital resilience.

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

EU conference highlights the need for collaboration in digital safety and growth

European politicians and experts gathered in Billund for the conference ‘Towards a Safer and More Innovative Digital Europe’, hosted by the Danish Parliament.

The discussions centred on how to protect citizens online while strengthening Europe’s technological competitiveness.

Lisbeth Bech-Nielsen, Chair of the Danish Parliament’s Digitalisation and IT Committee, stated that the event demonstrated the need for the EU to act more swiftly to harness its collective digital potential.

She emphasised that only through cooperation and shared responsibility can the EU match the pace of global digital transformation and fully benefit from its combined strengths.

The first theme addressed online safety and responsibility, focusing on the enforcement of the Digital Services Act, child protection, and the accountability of e-commerce platforms importing products from outside the EU.

Participants highlighted the importance of listening to young people and improving cross-border collaboration between regulators and industry.

The second theme examined Europe’s competitiveness in emerging technologies such as AI and quantum computing. Speakers called for more substantial investment, harmonised digital skills strategies, and better support for businesses seeking to expand within the single market.

A Billund conference emphasised that Europe’s digital future depends on striking a balance between safety, innovation, and competitiveness, which can only be achieved through joint action and long-term commitment.

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

Australian influencer family moves to UK over child social media ban

An Australian influencer family known as the Empire Family is relocating to the UK to avoid Australia’s new social media ban for under-16s, which begins in December. The law requires major platforms to take steps preventing underage users from creating or maintaining accounts.

The family, comprising mothers Beck and Bec Lea, their 17-year-old son Prezley and 14-year-old daughter Charlotte, said the move will allow Charlotte to continue creating online content. She has hundreds of thousands of followers across YouTube, TikTok and Instagram, with all accounts managed by her parents.

Beck said they support the government’s intent to protect young people from harm but are concerned about the uncertainty surrounding enforcement methods, such as ID checks or facial recognition. She said the family wanted stability while the system is clarified.

The Australia ban, described as a world first, will apply to Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and YouTube. Non-compliant firms could face fines of up to A$50 million, while observers say the rules raise new privacy and data protection concerns.

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

UK traffic to Pornhub plunges after age-verification law

In response to the UK’s new age-verification law, Pornhub reports that visits from UK users have fallen by about 77 %.

The change comes following legislation designed to block under-18s from accessing adult sites via mandatory age checks.

The company states that it began enforcing the verification system early in October, noting that many users are now turned away or fail the checks.

According to Pornhub, this explains the significant decrease in traffic from the UK. The platform emphasised that this is a reflection of compliance rather than an admission of harm.

Critics argue that the law creates risks of overblocking and privacy concerns, as users may turn to less regulated or unsafe alternatives. This case also underscores tensions between content regulation, digital rights and the efficacy of age-gating as a tool.

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