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Europol concludes major operation targeting criminal assets and crypto laundering

Europol has concluded the third operational phase of Project A.S.S.E.T., an international initiative focused on criminal asset tracing and money laundering investigations.

The operational phase took place between 19 and 22 May 2026 at Europol headquarters in The Hague and involved law enforcement agencies from 31 countries. More than 40 law enforcement agencies participated, including Asset Recovery Offices, Financial Intelligence Units, and specialised anti-money laundering teams from 31 countries.

The initiative also involved cooperation with Eurojust, INTERPOL, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, and private-sector financial and cryptocurrency partners.

According to Europol, investigators identified bank accounts, cryptocurrency wallets, companies, vehicles, and real estate assets allegedly linked to criminal activities. Authorities additionally located two suspected criminals, with one arrested through the European Network of Fugitive Active Search Teams.

Europol said the operation generated intelligence related to emerging money laundering techniques and cross-border financial structures associated with organised crime networks. Investigators also reported identifying operational patterns involving cryptocurrencies and international asset concealment practices.

The operation followed an earlier cryptocurrency-focused enforcement phase conducted in October 2025.

European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner said online fraud and crypto-related crime have become increasingly significant revenue sources for organised criminal groups. Europol officials additionally emphasised that international cooperation and financial intelligence increasingly play a central role in disrupting organised crime ecosystems and recovering illicit proceeds.

Europol said investigations are ongoing and that the full value of identified assets remains under assessment. Follow-up investigations are continuing across participating jurisdictions.

Why does it matter?

The operation reflects growing international focus on financial intelligence, cryptocurrency tracing, and cross-border asset recovery as organised crime groups increasingly rely on digital financial infrastructures. Furthermore, it demonstrates how law enforcement agencies and private-sector financial actors are strengthening cooperation to combat money laundering, online fraud, and illicit cryptocurrency operations across multiple jurisdictions simultaneously.

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EU advances DSA researcher access with platform roundtable

The European Commission and a group of Digital Services Coordinators have held a roundtable with Very Large Online Platforms and Very Large Online Search Engines to support the first data access requests by vetted researchers under the Digital Services Act.

The meeting focused on the new mechanism for submitting vetted researcher status applications. The DSA and its delegated act give researchers a route to request platform data needed to study systemic risks and societal impacts, while adding safeguards to prevent misuse of accessed data.

Digital Services Coordinators told participants that they had received 49 applications for assessment as of 19 May. The applications mainly request data from social media platforms and focus on risks such as illegal content, advertising transparency and AI features.

The roundtable forms part of the EU’s wider supervision of designated platforms under the DSA. The regime applies to major online services that meet the threshold for Very Large Online Platforms or Very Large Online Search Engines, including XNXX, which was designated as a Very Large Online Platform in 2024 and is therefore subject to stricter transparency, risk assessment and researcher access duties.

The Commission said Digital Services Coordinators are assessing the applications and preparing guidance to help researchers navigate the process. VLOPs and VLOSEs also shared updates on their work to manage data access requests and make data catalogues available.

Although Digital Services Coordinators assess individual applications, the Commission remains responsible for enforcing VLOP and VLOSE compliance with vetted researcher data access obligations. It said it would closely monitor whether platforms provide researchers with access to data as required under the DSA.

The Commission noted that it has already taken action on research-related transparency obligations under the DSA, including proceedings, commitments from AliExpress and the first non-compliance decision and fine issued to X.

Why does it matter?

The roundtable marks an important step toward operationalising DSA researchers’ access. Independent researchers need platform data to study systemic risks such as illegal content, advertising transparency, AI-driven features and risks linked to large online platforms, including adult services such as XNXX. The process will test whether the DSA can turn platform transparency from a legal obligation into usable evidence for public-interest research, while balancing access with privacy, security and safeguards against misuse.

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Italy launches Operation All Clear against major streaming piracy network

Authorities in Italy have launched Operation ‘All Clear’, an international enforcement action targeting audiovisual piracy networks operating across Europe. The operation was coordinated by the Ravenna Financial Police with support from multiple specialised cybercrime and fraud units.

Authorities conducted more than 100 searches and seizures across Italy, following an investigation led by the Bologna Public Prosecutor’s Office. According to investigators, the operation targeted illegal subscription services providing unauthorised access to commercial streaming platforms, including Netflix, Disney+, Spotify, DAZN and Sky Group.

Investigators said they identified a piracy infrastructure centred around an application known as CINEMAGOAL. Authorities alleged that the system connected users to foreign servers capable of accessing and retransmitting protected audiovisual content.

Virtual machines reportedly operated continuously across multiple locations to capture and retransmit subscription authentication codes from legitimate accounts registered under fictitious identities.

Officials described the infrastructure as technically sophisticated and designed to reduce detection by anti-piracy monitoring systems. Authorities additionally stated that the system concealed user identities by avoiding direct IP address associations, making enforcement and tracing more difficult.

Investigators identified more than 70 individuals allegedly involved in distributing illegal subscriptions within Italy. Subscription packages reportedly cost between €40 and €130 annually, with payments frequently conducted through cryptocurrencies or foreign accounts designed to avoid traceability.

Italian authorities also coordinated with France and Germany through Eurojust to seize servers and source code linked to the operation. Investigators also confirmed that traditional IPTV ‘pezzotto’ systems were simultaneously used alongside the newer CINEMAGOAL platform.

Authorities estimated that affected media companies may have suffered substantial financial losses linked to unauthorised content distribution. Financial police officers seized significant quantities of digital material that investigators believe may help identify additional participants and determine the full scale of illicit profits generated by the operation.

Authorities in Italy said administrative fines may initially target identified users of the illegal services, while criminal investigations remain ongoing. They added that criminal proceedings remain in the preliminary investigation phase and that final liability will only be determined following judicial proceedings.

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European Commission advances AI transparency code under EU AI Act

The European Commission’s AI Office has convened a new round of working group meetings and workshops on the forthcoming Code of Practice on Marking and Labelling of AI-Generated Content.

The discussions brought together providers of generative AI systems and models, technology companies, industry representatives, civil society organisations and academic experts. Feedback from the meetings will inform the third and final draft of the code, expected in early June.

The code is intended to support transparency obligations under the AI Act, including requirements linked to marking, labelling, disclosure and detectability of AI-generated content. It covers issues such as synthetic media, deepfakes and certain AI-generated text.

Working Group 1 focused on marking and detection obligations for providers, including a revised multi-layered approach, technical feasibility, benchmarking, compliance frameworks and possible third-party assessments. Industry participants raised concerns over compliance burdens, innovation and feasibility, while civil society and academic experts called for stronger safeguards in the public interest.

Working Group 2 examined disclosure obligations for deployers of generative AI systems, particularly deepfakes and certain AI-generated text. Discussions covered origin disclosure, user-facing labels, proportionality, governance measures, editorial control and the possible development of a uniform EU label.

Additional workshops explored how machine-readable marks, provenance data, visible labels, watermarking systems and an EU-wide icon could work together across the AI value chain. Participants also discussed coordination with other EU rules, including the Digital Services Act, while stressing the need to balance transparency, legal clarity, accessibility and innovation.

Why does it matter?

The code of practice will help determine how AI-generated content is marked, labelled and disclosed across the EU. Its development highlights the practical difficulty of turning transparency obligations into workable rules, particularly when regulators, companies and civil society disagree over technical feasibility, compliance costs, user experience and safeguards against deceptive synthetic media.

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Ofcom says major platforms will introduce new child safety measures in the UK

Ofcom said Snap, Meta, and Roblox plan to introduce additional child safety measures in the UK following regulatory pressure to strengthen protections against online grooming.

The commitments were outlined in an Ofcom report reviewing how major platforms responded to requests for stronger child safety protections. The measures include changes to contact settings, age assurance systems, AI-assisted detection tools, and controls for direct messaging.

According to Ofcom, Snap committed to implementing all recommended grooming prevention measures under the regulator’s Illegal Harms Codes. The changes will prevent adult strangers from contacting children by default, prevent children from being encouraged to expand their friendship groups to people they do not know, and introduce stronger age checks for UK users over the summer.

Roblox said it would expand existing protections, including parental controls for direct chat functions involving younger users. Meta said it plans to introduce additional privacy settings for teen accounts and AI-assisted detection tools for potentially inappropriate interactions.

Ofcom said it remains concerned about measures related to recommendation systems and harmful content exposure on some platforms. The regulator said evidence shows children’s exposure to harmful content has changed little since online safety duties came into force in July 2025.

The regulator also said platforms have not yet demonstrated effective enforcement of minimum age requirements. Its research found that 84% of children aged 8 to 12 were still using one of the top five online services, despite minimum age rules.

Ofcom has written to the UK Secretary of State advising that online safety legislation would need a clearer basis if Parliament wants the regulator to force platforms to enforce minimum age policies effectively.

Ofcom’s action plan includes monitoring implementation, reviewing recommender system risks, considering enforcement action, and continuing research into children’s online experiences.

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Singapore launches new AI, cybersecurity and quantum-readiness programmes

Singapore has announced new initiatives aimed at supporting enterprise AI adoption, strengthening cybersecurity, and preparing digital infrastructure for future quantum-related risks.

The measures were announced at ATxEnterprise 2026 by Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Tan Kiat How. They include new partnerships under the Digital Enterprise Blueprint, an AI adoption playbook for enterprises, SME awards recognising AI impact, and a pilot on quantum-safe technologies.

According to IMDA’s Singapore Digital Economy Report 2025, AI adoption among SMEs increased significantly during 2024.

IMDA and the Singapore Business Federation will introduce SME AI Impact Awards recognising enterprises using AI technologies in business operations. Up to 30 winners will be recognised across categories for proprietary AI tools and adoption of ready-to-use AI solutions.

The Digital Enterprise Blueprint is being expanded through partnerships involving AI training, digital skills development, and cybersecurity support for SMEs. One programme led by Grab will provide AI-related training and courses for SMEs in sectors including retail, e-commerce, and food services.

RSM Stone Forest IT will also launch cybersecurity initiatives involving phishing simulations, awareness webinars, and tabletop exercises for SMEs. With the two partnerships, IMDA aims to reach 12,000 more SMEs, contributing to its target of supporting 50,000 SMEs by 2029.

IMDA, SkillsFuture Singapore, and Workforce Singapore have also developed an AI for Enterprise Impact Playbook to help digitally progressive enterprises assess readiness, identify support, and plan next steps for AI adoption.

Singapore additionally announced a pilot initiative focused on quantum-safe technologies for telecommunications infrastructure. IMDA signed a Memorandum of Intent with Singtel, Ericsson, and NCS Singapore to test and validate quantum-safe migration approaches.

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Malaysia expands online safety rules for platforms and digital services

Malaysia’s Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has published the Child Protection Code and Risk Mitigation Code under the Online Safety Act 2025, following stakeholder engagement and a public consultation held from 12 February to 31 March 2026.

The codes form part of Malaysia’s broader online safety framework and outline expectations for service providers addressing online harms. According to MCMC, the framework follows an outcome-based approach that allows providers flexibility in implementing safety measures.

The Child Protection Code focuses on age-appropriate online experiences and child-safety-by-design principles for digital services in Malaysia. The code includes safeguards related to account registration, ownership restrictions for younger users, and protections involving higher-risk platform features.

It also introduces age-appropriate protections and restrictions on high-risk features, aiming to reduce children’s exposure to exploitative interactions and harmful content.

The Risk Mitigation Code outlines measures related to risk assessments, content governance, reporting systems, advertiser verification, and labelling of manipulated content. Measures include risk assessments, stronger content governance, effective reporting and response mechanisms, advertiser verification, and labelling manipulated content where appropriate.

Both codes are scheduled to take effect on 1 June 2026, with a transition period for implementation and verification processes. MCMC said a reasonable grace period will be provided for service providers to complete the verification process effectively.

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ICO warns major platforms over lack of privacy-friendly age assurance

The UK Information Commissioner’s Office has warned that major platforms have not yet introduced viable and privacy-friendly age assurance measures to stop underage children from accessing services with minimum age limits.

The statement follows letters sent by the ICO in March to TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X, calling on them to urgently review and strengthen measures to prevent underage children from accessing their services.

Responses from the platforms show that some services are taking, or considering, additional steps to protect children. However, the regulator said none had yet introduced new age assurance solutions that it considers both viable and privacy-friendly.

The ICO said it does not yet have confidence that appropriate measures are being put in place and raised concerns that underage children’s data is still being processed on platforms they should not be able to access.

The regulator warned that more progress is needed and said it is considering next steps, including formal investigations and sanctions. Platforms that set minimum age limits must have effective age assurance measures in place, it added.

The ICO said it will continue working closely with Ofcom, which enforces the Online Safety Act, to ensure underage users cannot access services that were not designed for them. It also said its response to the government’s ongoing consultation sets out how the ICO can act under data protection law.

Why does it matter?

The ICO’s warning shows that age assurance is becoming both a child safety and data protection issue. Platforms that set minimum age limits may face pressure not only to keep younger users away from unsuitable services, but also to avoid unlawfully processing children’s personal data when those users should not have access in the first place.

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Europol dismantles cybercriminal VPN linked to ransomware investigations

Europol has announced that international law enforcement agencies dismantled the cybercriminal VPN platform known as First VPN during a coordinated operation targeting ransomware infrastructure and wider cybercrime networks.

The operation, led by authorities in France and the Netherlands with support from Eurojust, targeted infrastructure allegedly used by cybercriminals to conceal ransomware attacks, fraud, data theft and other illegal online activities.

Europol described the service as deeply embedded in the cybercrime ecosystem and said it had featured in almost every major Europol-supported cybercrime investigation over the past few years. The platform was allegedly promoted as an anonymity service for criminal use, offering anonymous payments, concealed infrastructure and tools intended to help users evade law enforcement detection.

Coordinated action days took place on 19 and 20 May, during which authorities dismantled 33 servers connected to the service and shut down associated domain names. Investigators also interviewed the alleged administrator in Ukraine and carried out a residential search linked to the operation.

According to Europol, investigators gained access to the platform’s infrastructure and user database during the investigation, which began in December 2021. The agency said the data helped identify users allegedly connected to ransomware campaigns, fraud schemes and other cybercrime operations across several jurisdictions.

Intelligence generated through the operation led to 83 intelligence packages being distributed internationally, information linked to 506 users being shared with partner agencies, and 21 Europol-supported investigations advancing through newly obtained evidence.

The operation also received support from cybersecurity company Bitdefender, while a joint investigation team coordinated by Eurojust facilitated judicial cooperation and evidence sharing among participating countries.

Why does it matter?

The takedown shows how law enforcement is increasingly targeting the infrastructure that enables cybercrime, not only the attackers themselves. VPN services marketed for criminal use can help ransomware actors and fraud networks hide their identity, route attacks and evade detection. By dismantling First VPN and obtaining user data, investigators can disrupt multiple cybercrime operations at once and strengthen ongoing ransomware investigations.

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UK Pensions Regulator publishes AI governance plan for pension schemes

The UK Pensions Regulator (TPR) has published an AI plan outlining expectations for governance and oversight of AI use in pension schemes.

TPR said AI may support pension administration, decision-making, and member engagement, while also creating operational and cybersecurity risks. According to the regulator, accountability remains with trustees and scheme managers even when AI systems or third-party providers are involved.

TPR Chief Executive Nausicaa Delfas said:

‘AI has the potential to transform pensions for the better: improving how schemes are run, how members are supported, and how the system as a whole delivers value.’

She added: ‘But trust is the most valuable asset in our system, and that trust depends on the safe and responsible adoption of AI in members’ interests.’

The plan recommends governance measures, including system testing, risk monitoring, fraud prevention, data management, and compliance with data protection requirements.

TPR’s plan sets out four areas of focus:

Ensuring schemes are well run and governed
Strengthening data foundations
Supporting responsible innovation
Using AI to become a more effective regulator.

TPR said it will continue coordinating with the Financial Conduct Authority on regulatory alignment across the pensions sector.

The regulator also said it has used AI-supported processes to identify pension scam websites and support enforcement actions. Further guidance and industry engagement activities are planned later this year.

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