Child safety online

Lawmakers urged to rethink rules on private messaging

Policymakers are being urged to rethink the regulation of private messaging platforms as disinformation campaigns increasingly spread through closed digital networks. Researchers say messaging apps now play a major role in political communication and crisis information flows.

Evidence from elections and conflicts highlights the challenge. During Brazil’s 2024 municipal elections, manipulated political content spread widely through WhatsApp groups, while authorities in Ukraine reported Telegram being used for both emergency communication and disinformation.

Experts argue that current laws often fail to address messaging platforms, such as Telegram, because regulation typically targets public social media spaces. Analysts say modern messaging services combine private chats with broadcast channels and other features that allow content to reach large audiences.

Policy specialists propose regulating specific platform features rather than entire services. Governments and technology companies are also encouraged to protect encryption while expanding transparency tools, media literacy programmes and user safeguards.

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EU explores AI image generation safeguards

The Council of the European Union is examining a compromise proposal that could introduce restrictions on certain AI systems capable of generating sensitive synthetic images.

The discussions form part of ongoing adjustments to the EU AI Act.

A proposed measure that would primarily address AI tools that generate illegal material, particularly content involving the exploitation of minors.

Policymakers are considering ways to prevent the development or deployment of systems that could produce such material while maintaining proportionate rules for legitimate AI applications.

Early indications suggest the proposal may not apply to images depicting people in standard clothing contexts, such as swimwear. The distinction reflects policymakers’ effort to define the scope of restrictions without imposing unnecessary limits on common image-generation uses.

The debate highlights broader regulatory challenges linked to generative AI technologies. European institutions are seeking to strengthen protections against harmful uses of AI while preserving space for innovation and lawful digital services.

Further negotiations among the EU institutions are expected as lawmakers continue refining how these provisions could fit within the broader European framework governing AI.

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UK rejects social media ban for under-16s

A proposed social media ban for under-16s has been rejected by UK MPs, with 307 voting against and 173 in favour. The measure, introduced as an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, aimed to protect children from online harms.

Instead, the UK government secured support for giving ministers flexible powers, enforceable after a consultation on online safety concludes. The technology secretary, Liz Kendall, could limit social media access and VPN use, turn off addictive features, and raise the UK’s digital consent age.

Supporters of a full ban argued parents face an ‘impossible position’ managing online risks for their children. Campaigners, bereaved parents, and organisations such as Mumsnet and the National Education Union called for immediate action.

Critics, including the NSPCC, warned that a blanket ban could push teenagers towards unregulated online spaces.

The government consultation will examine minimum age requirements and the removal of features such as autoplay. MPs emphasised that any policy must balance safety with preparing children for responsible online engagement.

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Dutch court increases pressure on Meta over non-profiling social media feeds

A court in the Netherlands has increased potential penalties against Meta after ruling that changes to social media timelines must be implemented urgently.

The decision raises the potential fine for non-compliance from €5 million to €10 million if required adjustments are not applied to Facebook and Instagram feeds.

Judges at the Amsterdam Court of Appeals said users must be able to select a timeline that does not rely on profiling-based recommendations.

The ruling follows a legal challenge from the digital rights organisation Bits of Freedom, which argued that users who switched away from algorithmic feeds were automatically returned to them after navigating the platform or reopening the application.

The court concluded that the automatic resetting mechanism represents a deceptive design practice known as a ‘dark pattern’.

Such practices are prohibited under the EU’s Digital Services Act, which requires large online platforms to provide greater transparency and user control over recommendation systems.

Judges acknowledged that Meta had already introduced several technical changes, although not all required measures were fully implemented. The company must ensure that the non-profiling timeline option remains active once selected, rather than reverting to algorithmic recommendations.

The dispute also highlights regulatory tensions within the European framework. Before turning to the courts, Bits of Freedom submitted a complaint to Coimisiún na Meán, the national authority responsible for overseeing Meta’s compliance with the EU rules.

According to the organisation, the lack of progress from regulators encouraged legal action in Dutch courts.

Meta indicated that the company intends to challenge the decision and pursue further legal proceedings. The case could become an important test of how the Digital Services Act is enforced against major online platforms across Europe.

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New York moves to ban chatbots from giving legal and medical advice

New York lawmakers are considering legislation that would ban AI chatbots from providing legal or medical advice. The bill aims to stop automated systems from impersonating licensed professionals such as doctors and lawyers.

The proposal would also require chatbot operators to clearly inform users that they are interacting with an AI system. Notices must be prominent, written in the same language as the chatbot, and use a readable font.

A key feature of the bill is a private right of action. However, this would allow users to file civil lawsuits against chatbot owners who violate the law, recovering damages and legal fees. Experts say this enforcement tool strengthens the rules and deters abuse.

Supporters of the legislation argue it protects New Yorkers’ safety, particularly minors. Other bills in the same package would regulate online platforms like Roblox and set standards for generative AI, synthetic content, and the handling of biometric data.

The bill’s author, state Senator Kristen Gonzalez, said AI innovation should not come at the expense of public safety. She pointed to recent cases where AI chatbots were linked to harmful outcomes for minors, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability.

If passed, the law would take effect 90 days after the governor signs it. Lawmakers hope it will balance innovation with user protection, ensuring AI tools are used responsibly and safely across the state.

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Canada warns about AI-generated scams targeting citizens online

Authorities in Canada have issued a warning about the growing use of AI in impersonation scams targeting citizens. Fraudsters increasingly deploy advanced tools capable of mimicking politicians, government officials and other public figures with convincing realism.

Deepfake videos, synthetic audio and AI-generated messages allow scammers to create convincing communications that appear to come from trusted authorities.

Such tactics are often used to persuade victims to send money, reveal personal information, install malicious software or engage with fraudulent investment offers.

Officials also warn about fake government websites created with AI-assisted tools that imitate official pages by copying national symbols and similar domain names. Suspicious websites often use unusual web addresses, extra characters, or unfamiliar domain endings to mislead visitors.

Authorities advise Canadians to verify unexpected messages through official channels rather than clicking links or responding immediately.

Suspected impersonation attempts should be reported to the Competition Bureau or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

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Dutch intelligence warns about phishing attacks on Signal and WhatsApp

A large-scale cyber campaign linked to state hackers is targeting accounts on the messaging platforms Signal and WhatsApp.

Intelligence services warn that phishing attacks aim to gain access to communications belonging to diplomats, military personnel and government officials.

The warning was issued by the Dutch intelligence agencies, General Intelligence and Security Service and Military Intelligence and Security Service, which confirmed that several government employees in the Netherlands have already been targeted during the campaign.

Security officials believe the operation forms part of a broader intelligence effort focused on individuals considered valuable to foreign state interests.

Journalists and other public figures may also be potential targets as attackers attempt to monitor sensitive conversations or gather confidential information.

Authorities advise users to remain cautious when receiving unexpected messages or login requests on encrypted messaging platforms.

Phishing attempts designed to capture account credentials remain one of the most effective methods used in cyberespionage campaigns.

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AI tools linked to rise in abuse disclosures

Support organisations in the UK report that some abuse survivors are turning to AI tools such as ChatGPT before contacting helplines. Charities in the UK say individuals increasingly use AI to explore experiences and seek guidance before approaching professional support services.

The National Association of People Abused in Childhood said callers in the UK have recently reported being referred to its helpline after conversations with ChatGPT. Staff say AI is being used as an informal step in processing trauma.

Law enforcement and support groups in the UK have also recorded a rise in disclosures involving ritualistic sexual abuse. Authorities in the UK say only 14 criminal cases since 1982 have formally recognised such practices.

Police and support organisations are responding by improving training and launching specialist working groups. Officials aim to strengthen the identification and investigation of complex cases of abuse.

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Hackers can use AI to de-anonymise social media accounts

AI technology behind platforms like ChatGPT is making it significantly easier for hackers to identify anonymous social media users, a new study warns. LLMs could match anonymised accounts to real identities by analysing users’ posts across platforms.

Researchers Simon Lermen and Daniel Paleka warned that AI enables cheap, highly personalised privacy attacks, urging a rethink of what counts as private online. The study highlighted risks from government surveillance to hackers exploiting public data for scams.

Experts caution that AI-driven de-anonymisation is not flawless. Errors in linking accounts could wrongly implicate individuals, while public datasets beyond social media- such as hospital or statistical records- may be exposed to unintended analysis.

Users are urged to reconsider what information they share, and platforms are encouraged to limit bulk data access and detect automated scraping.

The study underscores growing concerns about AI surveillance. While the technology cannot guarantee complete de-anonymisation, its rapid capabilities demand stronger safeguards to protect privacy online.

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