A Berlin court has ruled that Meta unlawfully processed personal data through its Facebook platform, including information belonging to non-users. Judges found the ‘Find Friends’ feature lacked a valid legal basis for handling third-party data.
The court determined that Meta acted as a data controller and could not rely on consent, contract or legitimate interests to justify the processing. Non-users had no reasonable expectation that their data would be collected or stored.
The German judges also ruled that personalised advertising based on platform data breached GDPR rules. The processing was not considered necessary for providing a social media service and lacked a lawful basis.
However, the court accepted that sensitive personal data entered by users could be processed with explicit consent under the GDPR. The ruling is under appeal and may shape future enforcement of the EU data protection law.
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A committee within the European Parliament has approved a proposal to simplify aspects of AI regulation, marking a step forward in efforts to refine the implementation of the AI Act.
An initiative that seeks to adjust certain requirements to support clearer compliance, particularly for industry stakeholders.
The proposal focuses on technical and procedural elements linked to how AI rules are applied in practice.
Lawmakers aim to ensure that regulatory obligations remain proportionate while maintaining existing safeguards. Part of the discussion includes how specific categories of AI systems should be addressed within the broader framework.
Some elements of the proposal may require further discussion in upcoming negotiations with the Council of the European Union. Areas under consideration include the treatment of sensitive AI applications and the balance between regulatory clarity and enforcement effectiveness.
The development reflects ongoing efforts within the EU to refine its approach to AI governance. As discussions continue, policymakers are expected to assess how adjustments can support innovation while maintaining consistency with existing legal principles.
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Meta has stated that the update allows the platform to monitor messages while maintaining standard privacy safeguards.
End-to-end encryption had been the default for several messaging platforms, including WhatsApp, Messenger, and other Meta services.
The company first signalled its intent to expand encryption across Instagram and Messenger in 2019, implementing it in 2023. The plan was met with objections from organisations such as the Internet Watch Foundation and the Virtual Global Taskforce.
These groups highlighted potential risks in preventing the timely detection of harmful content, particularly child sexual abuse material.
Meta’s shift reflects a compromise between privacy, platform security, and online child safety. The company has not provided further details on changes to encryption policies beyond Instagram’s private messaging service.
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Debate over proposed UK digital market rules is intensifying, with Google outlining its position and emphasising the need to balance competition with user experience and platform integrity. The company said it supports the objectives of the Competition and Markets Authority but warned that some proposals could introduce risks for users.
Google argued that maintaining fair and relevant search results remains a priority, stating that its ranking systems are designed to prioritise quality rather than favour its own services. It cautioned that certain third-party proposals could expose its systems to manipulation, potentially weakening protections against spam and reducing the pace of product improvements.
The company also addressed user choice on Android devices, noting that existing options already allow users to select preferred services. It suggested that adding frequent mandatory choice screens could disrupt user experience, proposing instead a permanent settings-based option to change defaults without repeated prompts.
Regarding publisher relations, Google highlighted efforts to increase control over how content is used, particularly with generative AI features such as AI Overviews. It said new tools are being developed to allow publishers to opt out of specific AI functionalities while maintaining visibility in search results.
Google said it would continue engaging with UK regulators to shape rules that support users, publishers, and businesses, while ensuring that innovation and service quality are not compromised.
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The European Union has been unable to reach an agreement on extending temporary rules that allow online platforms to detect child sexual abuse material, leaving the current framework set to expire in April.
Discussions between the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union concluded without reaching a consensus on how to proceed with such measures.
The existing rules permit technology companies to voluntarily scan their services for harmful content, supporting efforts to identify and remove illegal material.
The European Commission had proposed a temporary extension while negotiations continue on a permanent framework under the Child Sexual Abuse Regulation, but differing views on scope and safeguards prevented agreement.
Stakeholders across sectors have highlighted the importance of maintaining effective tools to address online harms, while also emphasising the need to respect fundamental rights.
Previous periods of legal uncertainty have shown that detection capabilities may be affected when such frameworks are absent, although assessments of effectiveness remain subject to ongoing debate.
At the same time, concerns have been raised regarding the broader implications of monitoring digital communications. Some perspectives stress that any approach should carefully consider privacy protections, particularly in relation to secure and encrypted services.
Attention now turns to ongoing negotiations on a long-term regulatory solution.
The outcome will shape how the EU approaches the challenge of addressing harmful online content while safeguarding rights and ensuring proportional and transparent enforcement.
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A new research initiative led by UNESCO is examining the governance of harmful online content in South Africa, bringing together actors from government, academia, civil society and technology platforms to strengthen digital governance frameworks.
Conducted under the Social Media 4 Peace programme and supported by the EU, the study investigates the spread and impact of hate speech and disinformation while assessing existing regulatory approaches and platform governance systems.
Emphasis is placed on identifying structural gaps and developing practical responses suited to the country’s socio-political context.
Stakeholder engagement has shaped the research design to reflect local realities, with the aim of producing actionable and rights-based recommendations. As noted by a researcher involved in the project,
‘At Research ICT Africa, we don’t want this study to end with generic recommendations. We are aiming for grounded insights into how social media is shaping information integrity in our context, alongside practical guidance that regulators, platforms, and civil society can apply.‘
Kola Ijasan, a researcher at Research ICT Africa
Regulatory perspectives also highlight the importance of understanding emerging risks. As one regulator stated,
‘We are particularly interested in identifying regulatory gaps – areas where current laws and frameworks fall short in addressing emerging digital risks.‘
Nomzamo Zondi, a regulator in South Africa.
Findings are expected to contribute to evidence-based policymaking, strengthen platform accountability and safeguard freedom of expression and access to information.
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Google has expanded Personal Intelligence across AI Mode in Search, the Gemini app, and Gemini in Chrome for US users. Rollout follows early adoption, where users responded positively to more tailored and context-aware assistance.
Personal Intelligence connects data across services such as Gmail and Google Photos to deliver highly personalised responses. Queries no longer need full context, as the system uses past purchases, travel history, and preferences to deliver relevant suggestions.
Use cases range from customised shopping recommendations and technical troubleshooting to travel planning and itinerary creation. Suggestions adapt to user habits, including preferred brands, past bookings, and time constraints, delivering more precise results.
Privacy remains central to the rollout, with users retaining control over which apps are connected. Data from personal services is not directly used to train AI models, while limited interaction data helps improve performance over time.
Access is currently limited to personal Google accounts, excluding enterprise and education users.
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Concerns are growing over the risks posed by AI chatbots, particularly for minors, as evidence suggests these systems can facilitate harmful behaviour. A recent case in Finland, where a teenager planned a violent attack after interacting with an AI chatbot, has intensified calls for stronger oversight.
A report by the Center for Countering Digital Hate found that most leading AI chatbots assisted when prompted about violent acts. Researchers reported that eight out of ten systems tested generated harmful information or encouraged violence, highlighting gaps in existing safeguards.
The findings have renewed focus on how the Digital Services Act (DSA) could be applied to AI chatbots. Currently, the regulation primarily covers generative AI when integrated into large online platforms, leaving standalone chatbots in a regulatory grey area. Meanwhile, the AI Act focuses on model-level risks rather than user-facing systems.
Experts argue that this split leaves accountability unclear, as chatbot providers can avoid full responsibility by operating between regulatory frameworks. Proposals to delay elements of the AI Act or allow companies to self-assess risk levels have raised concerns about weakening safeguards at a critical moment for AI deployment.
Applying the DSA to chatbots could introduce obligations such as risk assessments, transparency requirements, and protections for minors. In the short term, chatbots could be treated as hosting services, requiring them to remove illegal content and respond to regulatory orders.
However, analysts warn that such measures would not fully address the risks. In the long term, they argue that the EU should create a dedicated regulatory category for AI chatbots, enabling stronger oversight similar to that applied to online platforms.
Stronger enforcement could also address harmful design features, such as systems that encourage prolonged engagement or escalate user prompts. Measures targeting manipulative interfaces and improving safeguards for minors could reduce the likelihood of harmful interactions.
As AI chatbots become more widely used for information, communication, and decision-making, policymakers face increasing pressure to act. Calls are growing for the EU to enforce existing rules while adapting its legal framework to ensure accountability keeps pace with technological change.
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Digital technologies and AI are increasingly shaping economic development, governance and international cooperation. As these technologies expand rapidly, international organisations are working to ensure that innovation is accompanied by responsible governance, inclusive access and coordinated global policies.
Within the United Nations system, a range of initiatives aim to strengthen cooperation on digital transformation and the development of AI. These efforts address issues such as digital infrastructure, data governance, technological innovation and equitable participation in emerging digital ecosystems. International collaboration plays an essential role in ensuring that the benefits of digital technologies support sustainable development while reducing global inequalities in access to digital resources.
Several programmes across the United Nations system reflect these priorities, combining global governance initiatives with practical AI applications in areas such as development, humanitarian response and digital inclusion. The following sections examine selected initiatives that illustrate how AI and digital cooperation are being advanced across different areas of the UN system.
Global Digital Compact
The Global Digital Compact is a comprehensive international framework adopted by United Nations member states to guide global digital cooperation and enhance the governance of AI. Negotiated by the 193 member states and reflects broad consultations aimed at shaping a shared vision for a digital future that is open, inclusive, safe, and secure for all. The Compact is part of the Pact for the Future, adopted at the 2024 Summit of the Future in New York.
At its core, the Compact seeks to address persistent digital divides by promoting universal connectivity, affordable access and inclusive participation in the digital economy. Governments and stakeholders have committed to connecting all individuals, schools, and hospitals to the internet, increasing investment in digital public infrastructure, and ensuring that technologies are accessible in diverse languages and formats.
The Compact also emphasises human rights and the protection of fundamental freedoms in the digital space, calling for the strengthened legal and policy frameworks that uphold international law and protect users from harms such as misinformation and discrimination. It promotes an open, global, stable, and secure internet while supporting access to independent, fact-based information.
The key objective of the Compact is to enhance international cooperation on data governance and AI for the benefit of humanity. It includes commitments to develop interoperable national data governance frameworks, advance responsible and equitable approaches to AI governance, and establish mechanisms for global dialogue and scientific guidance on AI. These elements reflect the need for collaborative, multistakeholder governance that balances innovation with transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights.
Independent International Scientific Panel on AI
The Independent International Scientific Panel on AI is a mechanism called for within the Global Digital Compact to support evidence‑based policymaking in AI governance. Member states requested the establishment of a multi‑disciplinary panel under the United Nations to assess the opportunities, risks and societal impacts of AI, and to promote scientific understanding across geographic and sectoral divides.
The panel is intended to contribute robust, independent scientific analysis to global AI discussions, ensuring that policy decisions are grounded in research rather than short‑term market pressures or fragmented national approaches. Its mandate includes conducting comprehensive risk and impact assessments, developing common methodologies for evaluating AI systems, and advising on interoperable governance frameworks that respect human rights and international law.
By bringing together experts from diverse disciplines and regions, the panel aims to bridge the gap between scientific developments and policymaking. It is a key institutional mechanism for fostering inclusive AI governance, with balanced geographic representation to ensure that insights reflect global needs rather than narrow technological interests.
The panel also complements the broader Global Dialogue on AI Governance, which seeks to engage governments, international organisations, civil society and technical communities in ongoing discussions about normative approaches, standards, and principles for global AI governance.
The UN Digital Cooperation Portal
The UN Digital Cooperation Portal is a central platform designed to support the implementation of the Global Digital Compact by mapping global digital cooperation activities and facilitating coordination among diverse stakeholders. The portal invites governments, UN entities, civil society organisations, researchers, and private sector actors to voluntarily submit information on initiatives related to the Compact’s objectives.
Launched in December 2025, the portal aggregates initiatives across thematic areas, including digital inclusion, AI governance, data governance, digital infrastructure, and the protection of human rights online. By visualising how activities align with agreed international frameworks, the platform supports strategic collaboration, strengthens transparency and highlights opportunities for joint action across regions and sectors.
The portal generates interactive data visualisations that illustrate how digital cooperation initiatives are evolving at the national, regional and global levels. These tools help identify gaps and overlaps in current efforts, enabling stakeholders to coordinate more effectively in pursuit of shared objectives such as closing digital divides and advancing equitable digital development.
As a resource for governments, UN agencies and external partners, the portal also contributes to the preparatory process for the high‑level review of the Global Digital Compact scheduled for 2027, providing an evidence‑based foundation assessing progress and emerging policy priorities.
Closing the language gap in AI through local language accelerators
Language diversity remains one of the major challenges in global AI development. More than half of the world’s population speaks one of over seven thousand languages, yet most AI systems currently support only a small number of widely used global languages.
Around 1.2 billion people rely on low-resource languages that remain poorly represented in digital technologies. Limited language representation can restrict access to AI-powered services in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education and civic participation.
The initiative combines technological development with partnerships involving universities, research institutions and local language communities. The technologies involved include optical character recognition systems that digitise written texts, automatic speech recognition tools capable of processing spoken language and text-to-speech technologies that generate digital audio.
Using satellite imagery and AI to improve disaster response
Rapid damage assessment plays a critical role in humanitarian response following natural disasters. Traditional assessment methods often require manual analysis of satellite images and field inspections conducted by experts, a process that can take weeks.
Emergency response operations, however, require reliable information within the first seventy-two hours after a disaster to prioritise rescue operations and humanitarian assistance.
The SKAI platform, developed by the World Food ProgrammeInnovation Accelerator, uses AI-based computer vision to analyse satellite imagery and identify damaged buildings automatically. The system enables humanitarian organisations to assess destruction at the level of individual structures across large geographic areas.
Developed as an open-source project in collaboration with Google Research, the platform can generate prioritised damage assessments within approximately twenty-four hours. Since 2022, the system has analysed more than 3.9 million buildings and identified around 450,000 severely damaged or destroyed structures.
Expanding inclusive participation through the UN Women AI School
Increasing participation in AI development is another priority across the United Nations system. Women remain underrepresented in many AI-related fields, including machine learning engineering and data science.
The UN WomenAI School addresses this challenge by providing training programmes designed for policymakers, civil society organisations, UN staff, and young innovators. The initiative aims to strengthen AI literacy and encourage broader participation in shaping the future of digital technologies.
Participants follow structured training tracks combining technical education with discussions on AI governance, ethics, and social impact. Collaborative learning environments encourage participants to develop solutions tailored to the needs of their communities.
More than three thousand participants have taken part in the programme since its launch. A train-the-trainer (ToT) model enables graduates to support future training programmes and expand the initiative to additional regions.
Responsible AI in satellite technologies and earth observation
AI technologies are increasingly integrated into satellite systems and Earth observation platforms. These systems analyse large volumes of geospatial data and generate near-real-time insights about environmental conditions.
Applications include monitoring climate change, analysing natural disasters, and supporting environmental policy planning. Rapid technological progress in this field also raises governance challenges related to transparency and accountability.
Many AI models used in satellite analysis operate as black box systems whose internal decision-making processes are difficult to interpret. Limited transparency can create risks when such systems are used to inform critical policy decisions.
Data bias represents another concern. Training datasets often originate primarily from the Global North, which may lead to inaccurate interpretations of environmental conditions in other regions of the world.
The methodology examines multiple dimensions of national AI ecosystems, including infrastructure, research capacity, institutional readiness and regulatory frameworks. Rather than ranking countries, the assessment identifies strengths and areas requiring further development.
Since its introduction in 2022, the methodology has been implemented in more than seventy countries. More than seventeen thousand stakeholders have participated in consultations associated with the initiative.
Assessment results have contributed to the development of national AI strategies and policy frameworks in several regions. An updated version of the methodology is expected to be released in 2026.
Additionally, UNESCO promotes the ethical development and use of AI through its Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. The global framework sets out principles on transparency, accountability, fairness, and respect for human rights to guide national policies and international cooperation.
AI for Good and global capacity building
The International Telecommunication Union coordinates the AI for Good initiative, which focuses on applying AI technologies to global challenges while strengthening international cooperation in governance and standards.
The programme operates across multiple areas, including multistakeholder dialogue, technical standard development, governance support and capacity development activities.
More than four hundred AI-related standards have already been developed in areas such as multimedia technologies, energy efficiency and cybersecurity. Governance dialogues organised through the initiative have involved more than one hundred ministers and regulators.
Educational programmes linked to the initiative aim to expand digital skills among young people worldwide through robotics competitions, machine learning challenges and educational partnerships.
The AI for Good Global Summit 2026, set to take place from 7–10 July in Geneva, will convene governments, industry leaders and civil society to advance AI governance, promote responsible innovation, and highlight initiatives that foster inclusive and equitable digital development.
AI tools supporting refugee entrepreneurship
AI technologies are also being used to support the economic opportunities for displaced populations. The United Nations Refugee Agency has developed an AI-powered virtual assistant designed to help refugees and asylum seekers transform business ideas into structured business plans.
The platform guides users through financial planning, market analysis and the preparation of investment proposals. The development of the system involved collaboration with NGOs, governments, and entrepreneurial networks across Latin America.
The tool was initially implemented in Paraguay and was designed with input from refugee communities. Remote access allows users to engage with the platform regardless of geographical or institutional constraints.
More than 340 refugee entrepreneurs have used the platform since its launch, with women representing approximately sixty percent of participants. The model is designed to be scalable and could be implemented in additional regions.
Promoting responsible innovation in civilian AI for peace and security
The rapid expansion of AI technologies brings increasing security challenges, particularly due to the potential misuse of civilian AI systems in military, conflict-related, or high-risk contexts. Dual-use applications mean that tools designed for civilian purposes, such as data analysis or autonomous systems, could also be repurposed in ways that threaten international peace, stability or human safety.
The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs works to foster responsible innovation practices, ensuring that the development and deployment of AI technologies consider their broader implications for global peace and security. Addressing these risks requires ongoing collaboration and dialogue among policymakers, researchers, industry stakeholders, and civil society, creating a shared framework for understanding and mitigating potential threats.
To support this, the programme organises a comprehensive set of initiatives, including thematic multistakeholder dialogues, academic workshops, public panels, private sector roundtables and in-person training sessions for graduate students. These activities aim not only to raise awareness of emerging security risks, but also to provide practical guidance and tools that promote safe, transparent and accountable AI practices in civilian applications worldwide.
UN 2.0 Communities of Practice
Knowledge sharing and collaboration are strengthened through UN 2.0 Communities of Practice, connecting partners across the United Nations system and beyond. The networks facilitate the exchange of expertise and approaches on digital transformation, data strategy, innovation, and strategic foresight.
Over 18,000 practitioners from more than 160 countries participate, enhancing the collective capacity to address complex AI and digital challenges. Thematic groups, including those focused on digital and data initiatives, support peer-to-peer engagement, professional development, and collaborative problem-solving. Participation allows stakeholders to contribute to a wider ecosystem of expertise and innovation, promoting inclusive digital governance and supporting the Sustainable Development Goals.
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Concerns over data protection have intensified as the European Commission calls on major technology companies to apply the EU standards when handling sensitive staff information linked to digital regulation.
Pressure follows requests from the US House Judiciary Committee seeking access to communications between US firms and the EU officials involved in enforcing laws such as the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act.
The EU officials emphasise that formal exchanges with companies take place through official channels, including documented correspondence, rather than informal messaging platforms. Internal communication practices may involve encrypted tools, reflecting growing concerns about data security and external scrutiny.
Debate surrounding the issue reflects wider tensions between the EU and the US over digital governance, privacy protections and regulatory authority. Questions over jurisdiction and access to sensitive communications are likely to remain central as transatlantic tech policy evolves.
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