Google has confirmed it will sign the European Union’s General Purpose AI Code of Practice, joining other companies, including major US model developers.
The tech giant hopes the Code will support access to safe and advanced AI tools across Europe, where rapid adoption could add up to €1.4 trillion annually to the continent’s economy by 2034.
Kent Walker, Google and Alphabet’s President of Global Affairs, said the final Code better aligns with Europe’s economic ambitions than earlier drafts, noting that Google had submitted feedback during its development.
However, he warned that parts of the Code and the broader AI Act might hinder innovation by introducing rules that stray from EU copyright law, slow product approvals or risk revealing trade secrets.
Walker explained that such requirements could restrict Europe’s ability to compete globally in AI. He highlighted the need to balance regulation with the flexibility required to keep pace with technological advances.
Google stated it will work closely with the EU’s new AI Office to help shape a proportionate, future-facing approach.
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The UK’s new Online Safety Act has increased VPN use, as websites introduce stricter age restrictions to comply with the law. Popular platforms such as Reddit and Pornhub are either blocking minors or adding age verification, pushing many young users to turn to free VPNs to bypass the rules.
In the days following the Act’s enforcement on 25 July, five of the ten most-downloaded free apps in the UK were VPNs.
However, cybersecurity experts warn that unvetted free VPNs can pose serious risks, with some selling user data or containing malware.
Using a VPN means routing all your internet traffic through an external server, effectively handing over access to your browsing data.
While reputable providers like Proton VPN offer safe free tiers supported by paid plans, lesser-known services often lack transparency and may exploit users for profit.
Consumers are urged to check for clear privacy policies, audited security practices and credible business information before using a VPN. Trusted options for safer browsing include Proton VPN, TunnelBear, Windscribe, and hide.me.
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Samsung has announced a partnership with Coinbase, enabling Samsung Wallet users to buy and deposit cryptocurrency directly through the Coinbase app. The new feature will be gradually rolled out to select users in the US and Canada, with broader access expected soon.
The integration brings Samsung Pay into Coinbase as a supported payment and deposit method, enhancing convenience for users looking to trade or fund crypto accounts using mobile devices.
The partnership highlights Samsung’s strategy of open collaboration to deliver richer mobile experiences. Coinbase, meanwhile, continues to expand its compliant crypto services to mainstream audiences.
Samsung Wallet combines digital payments, crypto, and identity features in one secure app. It includes multiple layers of protection such as tokenisation, biometric login, and Samsung Knox security.
Sensitive data is safeguarded in a secure on-device element, offering users peace of mind when managing digital assets.
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On 29 July 2025, the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) adopted a resolution titled ‘Assessment of the progress made in the implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society‘.
Prepared by the Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) and adopted as a draft at the Commission’s 28th meeting in April 2025, the resolution outlines several vital recommendations for possible outcomes of the ongoing process dedicated to the review of 20 years of implementation of outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (the so-called WSIS+20 review process):
A recommendation is that, as an outcome of the WSIS+20 process, commitments outlined in the Global Digital Compact (GDC) are integrated into the work of WSIS action lines by the action lines facilitators (para 131).
A recommendation regarding strengthening the UN Group on the Information Society (UNGIS), by including further UN offices with responsibilities in matters of digital cooperation, as well as multistakeholder advice on its work, as appropriate (para 132).
A recommendation that UNGIS is tasked with developing a joint implementation roadmap, to be presented to CSTD’s 29th session, to integrate GDC commitments into the WSIS architecture, ensuring a unified approach to digital cooperation that avoids duplication and maximises resource efficiency (para 133).
A call for strengthening the CSTD in its role as an intergovernmental platform for discussions on the impact and opportunities of technologies to achieve sustainable development goals (para 134).
The resolution also emphasises the role of CSTD in the GDC’s follow-up and review process and the need to ensure the strongest possible convergences between the implementation of WSIS outcomes and the Compact to avoid duplication and enhance synergies, efficiencies, and impact (para 135).
ECOSOC adopted the resolution without discussion and by consensus. When discussed at CSTD in April, the draft resolution was adopted by a vote of 33 in favour and one against; the USA, which voted against, explained its vote.
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South Korea is stepping up efforts to strengthen its cyber insurance sector as corporate cyberattacks surge across industries. A string of major breaches has revealed widespread vulnerability and renewed demand for more comprehensive digital risk protection.
Hanwha General Insurance launched Korea’s first Cyber Risk Management Centre last November and partnered with global cybersecurity firm Theori and law firm Shin & Kim to expand its offerings.
Despite the growing need, the market remains underdeveloped. Cyber insurance makes up only 1 percent of Korea’s accident insurance sector, with a 2024 report estimating local cyber premiums at $50 million, just 0.3 percent of the global total.
Regulators and industry voices call for higher mandatory coverage, clearer underwriting standards, and financial incentives to promote adoption.
As Korean demand rises, comprehensive policies offering tailored options and emergency coverage are gaining traction, with Hanwha reporting a 200 percent revenue jump in under a year.
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The European Commission has accused Temu of breaching the Digital Services Act by failing to assess and address the sale of illegal or dangerous products.
The accusation follows months of investigation and a review of a required risk report submitted by Temu, which the Commission found too vague.
A mystery shopping exercise by the EU uncovered unsafe toys and electronics on the platform, raising concerns over consumer safety.
Additional parts of the probe are ongoing, including scrutiny of Temu’s use of addictive designs, algorithmic transparency and product recommendations.
Temu now has a few weeks to respond to the preliminary findings, though no final deadline has been given. Under the DSA, confirmed violations could result in fines of up to 6% of a company’s global turnover.
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The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) has ended its enforcement action against the European Commission over its use of Microsoft, following improvements to data protection practices. The decision came after the Commission revised its contract with Microsoft to improve privacy standards.
Under the updated terms, Microsoft must clarify the reasons for data transfers outside the European Economic Area and name the recipients. Transfers are only allowed to countries with EU-recognised protections or in public interest cases.
Microsoft must also inform the Commission if a foreign government requests access to EU data, unless the request comes from within the EU or a country with equivalent safeguards. The EDPS urged other EU institutions to adopt similar contractual protections if using Microsoft 365.
Despite the EDPS’ clearance, the Commission remains concerned about relying too heavily on a non-EU tech provider for essential digital services. It continues to support the current EU-US data adequacy deal, though recent political changes in the US have cast doubt on its long-term stability.
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Peterborough City Council has turned the knowledge of veteran therapy practitioner Geraldine Jinks into an AI chatbot to support adult social care workers.
After 35 years of experience, colleagues frequently approached Jinks seeking advice, leading to time pressures despite her willingness to help.
In response, the council developed a digital assistant called Hey Geraldine, which mimics her direct and friendly communication style to provide instant support to staff.
Developed in 2023, the chatbot offers practical answers to everyday care-related questions, such as how to support patients with memory issues or discharge planning. Jinks collaborated with the tech team to train the AI, writing all the responses herself to ensure consistency and clarity.
Thanks to its natural tone and humanlike advice, some colleagues even mistook the chatbot for the honest Geraldine.
The council hopes Hey Geraldine will reduce hospital discharge delays and improve patient access to assistive technology. Councillor Shabina Qayyum, who also works as a GP, said the tool empowers staff to help patients regain independence instead of facing unnecessary delays.
The chatbot is seen as preserving valuable institutional knowledge while improving frontline efficiency.
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Huawei has unveiled its most powerful AI server, the CloudMatrix 384, to challenge Nvidia’s grip on the high-performance AI infrastructure market.
The system, launched at the World AI Conference in Shanghai, uses 384 Ascend 910C chips, significantly outnumbering Nvidia’s 72 B200 GPUs in the GB200 NVL72.
Although Nvidia’s GPUs remain more powerful individually, Huawei’s design relies on stacking and high-speed chip interconnection to boost overall performance.
The company claims the CloudMatrix 384 can deliver 300 petaflops of computing power, well above Nvidia’s 180 petaflops, though it consumes nearly four times more energy.
The US recently reversed its ban on Nvidia’s H20 chip exports to China, seeking to curb Huawei’s momentum. However, ongoing reports of smuggled Nvidia GPUs raise doubts over the effectiveness of these restrictions.
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Viasat has unveiled a new global connectivity service designed to improve satellite-powered internet of things (IoT) communication, even in remote environments. The new offering, IoT Nano, supports industries like agriculture, mining, transport with reliable, low-data and low-power two-way messaging.
The service builds on Orbcomm’s upgraded OGx platform, delivering faster message speeds, greater data capacity and improved energy efficiency. It maintains compatibility with older systems while allowing for advanced use cases through larger messages and reduced power needs.
Executives at Viasat and Orbcomm believe IoT Nano opens up new opportunities by combining wider satellite coverage with smarter, more frequent data delivery. The service is part of Viasat’s broader effort to expand its scalable and energy-efficient satellite IoT portfolio.
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