Consumer protection

EU unveils vision for a modern justice system

The European Commission has introduced a new Digital Justice Package designed to guide the EU justice systems into a fully digital era.

A plan that sets out a long-term strategy to support citizens, businesses and legal professionals with modern tools instead of outdated administrative processes. Central objectives include improved access to information, stronger cross-border cooperation and a faster shift toward AI-supported services.

The DigitalJustice@2030 Strategy contains fourteen steps that encourage member states to adopt advanced digital tools and share successful practices.

A key part of the roadmap focuses on expanding the European Legal Data Space, enabling legislation and case law to be accessed more efficiently.

The Commission intends to deepen cooperation by developing a shared toolbox for AI and IT systems and by seeking a unified European solution to cross-border videoconferencing challenges.

Additionally, the Commission has presented a Judicial Training Strategy designed to equip judges, prosecutors and legal staff with the digital and AI skills required to apply the EU digital law effectively.

Training will include digital case management, secure communication methods and awareness of AI’s influence on legal practice. The goal is to align national and EU programmes to increase long-term impact, rather than fragmenting efforts.

European officials argue that digital justice strengthens competitiveness by reducing delays, encouraging transparency and improving access for citizens and businesses.

The package supports the EU’s Digital Decade ambition to make all key public services available online by 2030. It stands as a further step toward resilient and modern judicial systems across the Union.

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UK unveils major push to drive national AI growth

A significant wave of public and private investment is set to place AI at the centre of the UK’s growth strategy. AI Growth Zones backed by substantial investment will drive job creation, high-tech infrastructure and local industry development across regions such as South Wales, London and Bristol.

Government officials stated that the measures aim to provide British firms with the tools necessary to scale and compete globally.

South Wales will host a significant £10 billion development expected to create over 5,000 jobs in the next decade. The zone will focus on data centres, advanced computing and AI research, supported by government funding for skills development and business adoption.

International tech companies expanding in the UK include Microsoft, Vantage Data Centres, Groq and Perplexity AI, each committing to new sites and enlarged workforces.

Further support will expand access to computing for researchers and start-ups nationwide. A government-backed advance market commitment worth up to £100 million will help hardware-focused AI firms secure their first key customers.

Officials confirmed nearly £500 million for the Sovereign AI Unit, which will scale domestic capabilities and back high-potential firms. Up to £137 million will also support the UK’s new AI-for-science strategy, which focuses on accelerating drug discovery and other breakthroughs.

Government representatives and industry leaders described the announcements as a turning point for the UK’s innovation capacity. Supporters say the measures will strengthen Britain’s tech leadership while creating jobs, boosting regional economies and advancing scientific progress.

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OpenAI unveils new global group chat experience

Since yesterday, OpenAI has launched group chats worldwide for all ChatGPT users on Free, Go, Plus and Pro plans instead of limiting access to small trial regions.

The upgrade follows a pilot in Japan and New Zealand and marks a turning point in how the company wants people to use AI in everyday communication.

Group chats enable up to twenty participants to collaborate in a shared space, where they can plan trips, co-write documents, or settle disagreements through collective decision-making.

ChatGPT remains available as a partner that contributes when tagged, reacts with emojis and references profile photos instead of taking over the conversation. Each participant keeps private settings and memory, which prevents personal information from being shared across the group.

Users start a session by tapping the people icon and inviting others directly or through a link. Adding someone later creates a new chat, rather than altering the original, which preserves previous discussions intact.

OpenAI presents the feature as a way to turn the assistant into a social environment rather than a solitary tool.

The announcement arrives shortly after the release of GPT-5.1 and follows the introduction of Sora, a social app that encourages users to create videos with friends.

OpenAI views group chats as the first step toward a more active role for AI in real human exchanges where people plan, create and make decisions together.

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Meta to block under-16 Australians from Facebook and Instagram early

Meta is beginning to block users in Australia who it believes are under 16 from using Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, starting 4 December, a week ahead of the government-mandated social media ban.

Last week, Meta sent in-app messages, emails and texts warning affected users to download their data because their accounts will soon be removed. As of 4 December, the company will deactivate existing accounts and block new sign-ups for users under 16.

To appeal the deactivation, targeted users can undergo age verification by providing a ‘video selfie’ to prove they are 16 or older, or by presenting a government-issued ID. Meta says it will ‘review and improve’ its systems, deploying AI-based age-assurance methods to reduce errors.

Observers highlight the risks of false positives in Meta’s age checks. Facial age estimation, conducted through partner company Yoti, has known margins of error.

The enforcement comes amid Australia’s world-first law that bars under-16s from using several major social media platforms, including Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, X and more.

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Tech groups welcome EU reforms as privacy advocates warn of retreat

The EU has unveiled plans to scale back certain aspects of its AI and data privacy rules to revive innovation and alleviate regulatory pressure on businesses. The Digital Omnibus package delays stricter oversight for high-risk AI until 2027 and permits the use of anonymised personal data for model training.

The reforms amend the AI Act and several digital laws, cutting cookie pop-ups and simplifying documentation requirements for smaller firms. EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen says the aim is to boost competitiveness by removing layers of rigid regulation that have hindered start-ups and SMEs.

US tech lobby groups welcomed the overall direction. Still, they criticised the package for not going far enough, particularly on compute thresholds for systemic-risk AI and copyright provisions with cross-border effects. They argue the reforms only partially address industry concerns.

Privacy and digital rights advocates sharply opposed the changes, warning they represent a significant retreat from Europe’s rights-centric regulatory model. Groups including NOYB accused Brussels of undermining hard-won protections in favour of Big Tech interests.

Legal scholars say the proposals could shift Europe closer to a more permissive, industry-driven approach to AI and data use. They warn that the reforms may dilute the EU’s global reputation as a standard-setter for digital rights, just as the world seeks alternatives to US-style regulation.

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EU eases AI and data rules to boost tech growth

The European Commission has proposed easing AI and data privacy rules to cut red tape and help European tech firms compete internationally. Companies could access datasets more freely for AI training and have 16 months to comply with ‘high-risk’ AI rules.

Brussels also aims to cut the number of cookie pop-ups, allowing users to manage consent more efficiently while protecting privacy. The move has sparked concern among rights groups and campaigners who fear the EU may be softening its stance on Big Tech.

Critics argue that loosening regulations could undermine citizen protections, while European companies welcome the changes as a way to foster innovation and reduce regulatory burdens that have slowed start-ups and smaller businesses.

EU officials emphasise that the reforms seek a balance between competitiveness and safeguarding fundamental rights. Commission officials say the measures will help European firms compete with US and Chinese rivals while safeguarding citizen privacy.

Simplifying consent mechanisms and providing companies more operational flexibility are central to the plan’s goals.

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AI in healthcare gains regulatory compass from UK experts

Professor Alastair Denniston has outlined the core principles for regulating AI in healthcare, describing AI as the ‘X-ray moment’ of our time.

Like previous innovations such as MRI scanners and antibiotics, AI has the potential to improve diagnosis, treatment and personalised care dramatically. Still, it also requires careful oversight to ensure patient safety.

The MHRA’s National Commission on the Regulation of AI in Healthcare is developing a framework based on three key principles. The framework must be safe, ensuring proportionate regulation that protects patients without stifling innovation.

It must be fast, reducing delays in bringing beneficial technologies to patients and supporting small innovators who cannot endure long regulatory timelines. Ultimately, it must be trusted, with transparent processes that foster confidence in AI technologies today and in the future.

Professor Denniston emphasises that AI is not a single technology but a rapidly evolving ecosystem. The regulatory system must keep pace with advances while allowing the NHS to harness AI safely and efficiently.

Just as with earlier medical breakthroughs, failure to innovate can carry risks equal to the dangers of new technologies themselves.

The National Commission will soon invite the public to contribute their views through a call for evidence.

Patients, healthcare professionals, and members of the public are encouraged to share what matters to them, helping to shape a framework that balances safety, speed, and trust while unlocking the full potential of AI in the NHS.

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TikTok rolls out mindfulness and screen-time reset features

TikTok has announced a set of new well-being features designed to help users build more balanced digital habits. The rollout includes an in-app experience with breathing exercises, calming audio tracks and short ‘Well-being Missions’ that reward mindful behaviour.

The missions are interactive tasks, such as quizzes and flashcards, that encourage users to explore TikTok’s existing digital-wellness tools (like Sleep Hours and Screen Time Management). Completing these missions earns users badges, reinforcing positive habits. In early tests, approximately 40 percent of people who saw the missions chose to try them.

TikTok is also experimenting with a dedicated ‘pause and recharge’ space within the app. This includes safe, calming activities that help users disconnect: for instance, before bedtime or after long scrolling sessions.

The broader effort reflects TikTok’s growing emphasis on digital wellness, part of a larger industry trend on the responsible and healthy use of social platforms.

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DPDP law takes effect as India tightens AI-era data protections

India has activated new Digital Personal Data Protection rules that sharply restrict how technology firms collect and use personal information. The framework limits data gathering to what is necessary for a declared purpose and requires clear explanations, opt-outs, and breach notifications for Indian users.

The rules apply across digital platforms, from social media and e-commerce to banks and public services. Companies must obtain parental consent for individuals under 18 and are prohibited from using children’s data for targeted advertising. Firms have 18 months to comply with the new safeguards.

Users can request access to their data, ask why it was collected, and demand corrections or updates. They may withdraw consent at any time and, in some cases, request deletion. Companies must respond within 90 days, and individuals can appoint someone to exercise these rights.

Civil society groups welcomed stronger user rights but warned that the rules may also expand state access to personal data. The Internet Freedom Foundation criticised limited oversight and said the provisions risk entrenching government control, reducing transparency for citizens.

India is preparing further digital regulations, including new requirements for AI and social media firms. With nearly a billion online users, the government has urged platforms to label AI-generated content amid rising concerns about deepfakes, online misinformation, and election integrity.

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Target expands OpenAI partnership with new ChatGPT shopping app

Target is expanding its partnership with OpenAI by launching a new shopping app directly inside ChatGPT. The app offers customers personalised recommendations, multi-item baskets and streamlined checkout across Drive Up, Order Pickup and shipping.

The retailer will continue using OpenAI’s models and ChatGPT Enterprise to enhance employee productivity and strengthen digital experiences across its business.

AI is central to Target’s operations, supporting supply-chain forecasts, store processes, and personalised digital tools. Over 18,000 employees utilise ChatGPT Enterprise to streamline routine tasks, enhance creativity, and receive faster support for guest requests and returns through internal AI assistants.

Customer-facing tools such as Shopping Assistant, Gift Finder, Guest Assist and JOY reinforce this strategy by offering curated suggestions and instant answers.

The new Target app inside ChatGPT extends this AI-driven approach to customers. Shoppers will be able to ask for ideas, browse curated suggestions, build baskets and check out through their Target accounts.

The beta version launches next week, and upcoming features include Target Circle linking and same-day delivery. Target views the partnership as part of a retail shift, embedding AI across products, operations and guest interactions to drive the next wave of innovation.

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