Digital identities Archives | Page 2 of 183

European Commission marks .eu anniversary with internet governance focus

The European Commission has marked the 20th anniversary of the .eu top-level domain, presenting it as a symbol of European identity online and an element of Europe’s technological sovereignty agenda.

The milestone was celebrated during the 2026 European Internet Governance Dialogue in Brussels, where policymakers, technical experts, businesses, civil society representatives, and other stakeholders discussed the future of global internet governance.

According to the Commission, .eu has grown into the fourth-largest country-code top-level domain in Europe, with 3.8 million registrations since its launch in April 2006. The EU officials described the domain as a symbol of European identity online and an example of resilient European digital infrastructure, noting that it has operated without a single outage for two decades.

The discussions also focused on Europe’s broader approach to internet governance, digital autonomy, and the reduction of strategic technological dependencies. Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen said Europe is at a pivotal moment where digital autonomy, reduced dependencies, and global leadership in internet governance must go hand in hand.

The Commission linked the anniversary to future EU initiatives, including the upcoming Technological Sovereignty Package, which it said would further support Europe’s vision for a decentralised and open internet where users, businesses, and governments have real alternatives and control over their digital future.

Officials also stressed the importance of ensuring that European values, including human rights, inclusivity, and competition, continue to shape the next decade of global internet governance.

Why does it matter?

The anniversary shows how domain governance and internet infrastructure are increasingly being linked to digital sovereignty and technological dependence. By framing .eu as part of Europe’s identity, resilience, and internet governance agenda, the Commission is connecting a long-standing country-code top-level domain to broader debates on autonomy, infrastructure, trust, and Europe’s role in shaping the future of the open internet.

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Argentina launches AI ‘Digital Twin’ system for social policy simulations

Argentina’s Ministry of Human Capital has launched the ‘Digital Twin’ initiative, an AI-based system intended to simulate potential impacts of social policies before implementation. According to the government, the project is part of broader efforts to use data analysis and predictive tools in public policy planning.

The system is designed to model scenarios related to areas including poverty, subsidies, and human capital development using large-scale datasets. Officials said the initiative could support more anticipatory and data-informed policymaking processes.

The announcement by President Javier Milei was followed by public criticism related to promotional materials associated with the initiative. Opposition representatives have requested additional information concerning the project’s legal basis, data usage, and privacy safeguards.

Privacy specialists and analysts also raised concerns about governance frameworks, data aggregation, and potential profiling risks. The government has not yet publicly detailed oversight mechanisms or specific data protection standards linked to the initiative.

Why does it matter?

Argentina’s Digital Twin project reflects a broader global shift towards using AI to simulate and predict social and economic outcomes, potentially reshaping how governments design and test public policy. If effective, such systems could improve efficiency by allowing policymakers to model interventions before implementation, reducing costly or ineffective decisions.

At the same time, the initiative raises significant governance and civil liberties concerns, particularly around large-scale data aggregation and the potential for algorithmic profiling of citizens.

Without clear transparency, oversight, and privacy safeguards, predictive governance tools risk shifting from policy optimisation instruments into systems that enable expanded state surveillance and reduced accountability.

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EuroDIG 2026 to bring European internet governance voices to Brussels

EuroDIG 2026 will take place on 26 and 27 May at the Charlemagne Building of the European Commission in Brussels, bringing together Europe’s internet governance community for two days of discussions on the future of the digital environment.

The event will be hosted by EURid, the registry operator for the .eu domain name, with support from the European Commission, a longstanding institutional partner of EuroDIG. This year’s edition also marks 20 years of .eu domain, celebrating two decades of what organisers describe as a trusted European digital identity.

The overarching theme is ‘European Voices for the Future of the Internet – Celebrating 20 Years of .eu and the Beginning of a New Internet Governance Era’. Discussions are expected to address issues including openness, security, multistakeholder governance, and Europe’s digital policy priorities.

Over the past 18 years, EuroDIG has served as a European multistakeholder platform for discussions on internet governance and digital public policy. Outcomes from the discussions contribute to broader international internet governance processes, including the Internet Governance Forum.

Participants from government, civil society, academia, the technical community, business, and youth groups are expected to take part in the discussions. Sessions will address topics including AI, digital identity, information integrity, infrastructure resilience, digital sovereignty, and democracy online.

Digital Watch Observatory is following EuroDIG 2026 through a dedicated event page, featuring session information and reporting from Brussels.

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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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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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Ofcom report highlights growing AI use among UK children online

The UK’s Ofcom has released new research indicating that children in the UK are using digital devices and online services at increasingly younger ages.

According to Ofcom’s Children’s Online Experiences report, screen use begins early in childhood, and smartphone ownership increases significantly during secondary school years. The report found that teenagers aged 15 to 17 spend a substantial amount of time online each week.

The report also noted declining use of traditional media formats such as live television, radio, and print among younger audiences. Live television, radio, and print media were described as increasingly absent from children’s routines, with social media, messaging platforms, and gaming dominating digital engagement.

Ofcom also warned that exposure to harmful content remains a significant issue despite the introduction of new online safety rules. Ofcom said many children reported exposure to harmful online content, including material surfaced through recommendation systems and personalised feeds.

The report also highlighted growing use of AI tools among children and teenagers. More than half of UK children aged 8 to 17 said they use AI tools, with some teenagers increasingly relying on AI systems for learning, creativity, communication, and companionship. Researchers said some children found it difficult to distinguish between AI-generated and human-created content.

The report suggested that passive content consumption plays an increasingly significant role in children’s online activity. Most younger users primarily scroll, watch, follow, or like content instead of actively creating or sharing material themselves.

Gaming remained one of the most important online social environments for children, with many users interacting regularly with people they had only met online through multiplayer gaming communities and communication platforms.

Why does it matter?

Ofcom’s findings highlight growing concerns surrounding children’s digital well-being, algorithmic exposure, AI literacy, and online safety regulation. Policymakers and regulators increasingly face pressure to address how recommendation systems, generative AI, and social platforms shape behaviour, attention, and trust among younger audiences.

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Meta accused of using influencers to defend Instagram child safety measures

The Tech Transparency Project has accused Meta of using influencers, parenting creators and healthcare professionals to promote Instagram child safety tools while the company faces scrutiny over the platform’s impact on minors.

According to the investigation, Meta hosted branded Screen Smart events across the United States, during which influencers and clinicians were introduced to Instagram Teen Accounts and parental supervision tools. TTP said many attendees later shared supportive content across Instagram, TikTok and other platforms, often using paid partnership labels or Meta-related sponsorship hashtags.

The group claims the campaign formed part of Meta’s effort to improve its public image on child safety amid lawsuits, whistle-blower disclosures and criticism over youth mental health harms. TTP said Meta relied on creators with large parent audiences and, in some cases, medical credentials to amplify messages about online safety protections.

Also, the investigation identified doctors and psychologists who promoted Instagram Teen Accounts while having financial relationships with Meta. TTP argued that these endorsements contrast with reports and advocacy concerns that Teen Accounts may not fully protect young users from harmful material, including content related to sex, drugs and violence.

TTP also linked some Meta-affiliated influencers to advocacy for app-store age verification laws, which would require Apple and Google to handle user age checks and parental approval for app downloads by minors. Critics argue such measures could shift responsibility for age assurance away from social media platforms themselves.

Meta did not respond to TTP’s questions, according to the investigation. In a statement cited by TTP from CNN coverage, Meta said it works with parents and creators to spread awareness of safety controls and encourage families to use them.

Why does it matter?

The investigation raises questions about transparency in platform safety campaigns, particularly when sponsored creators and professionals are used to promote tools aimed at parents. As regulators and courts scrutinise child safety on social media, public trust may depend not only on whether platforms introduce safeguards, but also on how clearly they disclose paid partnerships, conflicts of interest and the limits of those protections.

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eSafety Commissioner and Sport Integrity Australia focus on online harms in sport

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner and Sport Integrity Australia have launched a joint initiative focused on online safety in sport.

The Online Safety in Sport Summit brought together representatives from sporting organisations, government agencies, researchers, law enforcement, and technology companies. The discussions focused on cyberbullying, online harassment, and harmful digital behaviour affecting athletes and sporting communities.

During the summit, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said harmful behaviour linked to sport increasingly occurs across social media, messaging applications, and online communities.

Research presented during the summit, titled ‘The Digital Sideline’, found that nearly one in five children participating in organised sport reported experiencing cyberbullying related to sporting activities.

Officials in Australia said that many reported online harms involved peers, including teammates and competitors, and occurred through private messages and group chats.

Participants highlighted the importance of prevention measures, early intervention, and cooperation between sporting organisations, regulators, and technology companies.

Why does it matter?

Online abuse within sport is becoming an increasingly significant policy and governance issue as digital platforms reshape athlete visibility, fan interaction, and youth participation. Cyberbullying, online harassment, and hate speech can affect mental health, athlete safety, participation rates, and broader social cohesion.

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Spotify verification badges target AI slop and voice impersonation

Spotify has introduced new verification badges for podcast shows and reinforced its impersonation policies as AI tools make it easier to clone voices, imitate creators and produce misleading audio content.

The new Verified by Spotify badge will appear on selected podcast show pages and in search results. According to Spotify, the badge identifies a show as the official presence of a creator, publisher or brand, helping listeners understand who they are hearing and giving creators a clearer way to establish authenticity on the platform.

Also, Spotify said the badge will begin appearing on select shows and expand over the coming months. Eligibility will depend on factors including sustained listener activity, good standing under Spotify’s platform policies and verified audience authenticity, including safeguards against fraudulent or bot-driven listenership.

Spotify is introducing podcast verification badges and stronger impersonation rules as AI slop expands into audio, voice cloning and creator identity. — Image via Magnific

The company also reaffirmed that its policies prohibit unauthorised impersonation, including through AI voice cloning. Spotify said it will remove podcast shows and content that impersonate another creator or host’s likeness without permission, whether through AI-generated voices or other methods.

However, the move shows how concerns over AI slop are expanding from low-quality visual and written content into audio and identity. In podcasting, the issue is not only whether synthetic content is poor quality, but whether listeners can tell when a voice, host or show is authentic.

Spotify framed the update as part of a broader effort to protect creators and give listeners clearer signals about who they are hearing. The company said podcasting depends on trust between creators and audiences, and that authenticity is becoming more complex as AI lowers the barrier to producing and distributing audio content.

Why does it matter?

AI slop is moving beyond visual clutter and into identity. In podcasting, synthetic voices and impersonation can directly affect the creator’s reputation, listener trust and the credibility of audio platforms. Spotify’s verification badges and impersonation rules show how platforms are beginning to respond not only with content moderation, but with identity signals, authenticity checks and stronger creator protections.

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World Economic Forum highlights growing role of AI in public administration

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has highlighted the growing role of AI in public administration and digital government systems.

According to Ahmed Tamim Hisham Al Kuttab of the Abu Dhabi Department of Government Enablement, future public services may become more automated and integrated across agencies.

The piece points to examples such as Abu Dhabi’s TAMM platform, which integrates more than 1,150 government services into a unified digital system. Officials said the TAMM platform uses AI-enabled systems to support service delivery and reduce administrative processes for users.

The WEF discussed how AI systems could support coordination of public services across government agencies following major life events, such as births, healthcare changes, or residency updates, reducing the need for citizens to navigate complex bureaucratic structures themselves.

The report also emphasised the importance of trust, accountability, transparency, and institutional oversight in government AI deployment. Instead, policymakers are urged to prioritise trust, accountability, transparency, and institutional legitimacy when deploying AI systems in public administration.

WEF’s report also highlights growing interest in agentic AI systems capable of coordinating workflows and executing administrative tasks autonomously. According to the report, decisions involving areas such as healthcare and legal outcomes should continue to involve human oversight and accountability.

The discussion forms part of broader international interest in AI-enabled public services and digital government infrastructure.

Why does it matter?

AI-driven public administration could fundamentally reshape state capacity, public trust, and citizen interaction with government systems, as WEF argues. Automated coordination across agencies may improve efficiency, reduce bureaucracy, and lower administrative costs. However, AI-native governance models also introduce major governance challenges involving privacy, explainability, cybersecurity, algorithmic bias, and democratic accountability. The debate reflects a wider global shift towards AI-powered digital states and intelligent public infrastructure.

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