Australia’s online safety regulator has moved to classify Twitch as an age-restricted social media platform after ruling that the service is centred on user interaction through livestreamed content.
The decision means Twitch must take reasonable steps to stop children under sixteen from creating accounts from 10 December instead of relying on its own internal checks.
Pinterest has been treated differently after eSafety found that its main purpose is image collection and idea curation instead of social interaction.
As a result, the platform will not be required to follow age-restriction rules. The regulator stressed that the courts hold the final say on whether a service is age-restricted. Yet, the assessments were carried out to support families and industry ahead of the December deadline.
The ruling places Twitch alongside earlier named platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X and YouTube.
eSafety expects all companies operating in Australia to examine their legal responsibilities and has provided a self assessment tool to guide platforms that may fall under the social media minimum age requirements.
eSafety confirmed that assessments have been completed in stages to offer timely advice while reviews were still underway. The regulator added that no further assessments will be released before 10 December as preparations for compliance continue across the sector.
Would you like to learn more aboutAI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Malaysia plans to introduce a ban on social media accounts for people under 16 starting in 2026, becoming the latest country to push stricter digital age limits for children. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the government aims to better protect minors from cyberbullying, online scams and sexual exploitation.
Authorities are reviewing verification methods used abroad, including electronic age checks through national ID cards or passports, though an exact enforcement date has not yet been set.
The move follows new rules introduced earlier this year, which require major digital platforms in Malaysia to obtain a licence if they have more than eight million users. Licensed services must adopt age-verification tools, content-safety measures and clearer transparency standards, part of a wider effort to create a safer online environment for young people and families.
Australia, which passed the world’s first nationwide ban on social media accounts for children under 16, is serving as a key reference point for Malaysia’s plans. The Australian law takes effect on 10 December and imposes heavy fines on platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, X and YouTube if they fail to prevent underage users from signing up.
The move has drawn global attention as governments grapple with the impact of social media on young audiences. Similar proposals are emerging elsewhere in Europe.
Denmark has recently announced its intention to block social media access for children under 15, while Norway is advancing legislation that would introduce a minimum age of 15 for opening social media accounts. Countries adopting such measures say stricter age limits are increasingly necessary to address growing concerns about online safety and the well-being of children.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Americans may soon be able to pay federal taxes in Bitcoin under a new bill introduced in the House of Representatives. The proposal would send BTC tax payments straight into the US strategic reserve and spare taxpayers from capital gains reporting.
Representative Warren Davidson says that BTC tax payments allow the government to build an appreciating reserve without purchasing coins on the open market. He says that Bitcoin-based revenue strengthens the national position as the dollar continues to lose value due to inflation.
Supporters say the plan expands the reserve in a market-neutral way and signals a firmer national stance on Bitcoin adoption. They argue a dedicated reserve reduces the risk of future regulatory hostility and may push other countries to adopt similar strategies.
Critics warn that using seized or forfeited BTC to grow the reserve creates harmful incentives for enforcement agencies. Some commentators say civil asset forfeiture already needs reform, while others argue the reserve is still positive for Bitcoin’s long-term global position.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
A national push to bring AI into public schools has moved ahead in Greece after the launch of an intensive training programme for secondary teachers.
Staff in selected institutions will receive guidance on a custom version of ChatGPT designed for academic use, with a wider rollout planned for January.
The government aims to prepare educators for an era in which AI tools support lesson planning, research and personalised teaching instead of remaining outside daily classroom practice.
Officials view the initiative as part of a broader ambition to position Greece as a technological centre, supported by partnerships with major AI firms and new infrastructure projects in Athens. Students will gain access to the system next spring under tight supervision.
Supporters argue that generative tools could help teachers reduce administrative workload and make learning more adaptive.
Concerns remain strong among pupils and educators who fear that AI may deepen an already exam-driven culture.
Many students say they worry about losing autonomy and creativity, while teachers’ unions warn that reliance on automated assistance could erode critical thinking. Others point to the risk of increased screen use in a country preparing to block social media for younger teenagers.
Teacher representatives also argue that school buildings require urgent attention instead of high-profile digital reforms. Poor heating, unreliable electricity and decades of underinvestment complicate adoption of new technologies.
Educators who support AI stress that meaningful progress depends on using such systems as tools to broaden creativity rather than as shortcuts that reinforce rote learning.
Would you like to learn more aboutAI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
A senior UN official has praised the Arab Digital Economy vision backed by President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, calling it a leading regional model for accelerating digital development.
The initiative, adopted by the Arab League, was described as a significant milestone for collective progress, rather than fragmented national efforts.
Speaking at the Knowledge Summit in Dubai, Dr Abdallah Al Dardari noted that the UAE has secured a central position in global and regional technological advancements through forward-looking policies and a strong commitment to innovation.
He argued that the country’s digital achievements provide an ideal foundation for Arab nations aiming to strengthen their own digital ecosystems.
Moreover, he highlighted the UAE’s combination of advanced infrastructure, modern legislation and innovation-friendly conditions, adding that its experience offers valuable guidance for states working to build integrated digital economies that can respond to rapid global change.
Dr Al Dardari concluded that the UAE’s role in driving regional and international development offers a model for a future economy shaped by knowledge and technology, rather than traditional growth approaches.
Would you like to learn more aboutAI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Binance Japan and PayPay have launched a new service that enables users to purchase crypto assets using PayPay Money and PayPay Points. The integration allows funds deposited from PayPay Money to be used directly for spot trading on Binance Japan.
Users can also withdraw proceeds from crypto sales back into their PayPay Balance. Previously, trading and withdrawals were restricted to Japanese yen transfers via domestic banks or external wallets.
The new system allows one-click deposits and withdrawals, starting from JPY 1,000.
The service works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, offering a smoother trading experience for both mobile and web users. To activate the integration, users enable the linkage via the PayPay icon within Binance Japan’s trading platform.
The initiative reflects growing collaboration between PayPay and Binance Japan, aiming to enhance convenience and accessibility for both first-time traders and experienced users while expanding crypto adoption in Japan.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
A recent survey reveals that 38.7% of Portuguese individuals aged 16 to 74 used AI tools in the three months preceding the interview, primarily for personal purposes. Usage is particularly high among 16 to 24-year-olds (76.5%) and students (81.5%).
Internet access remains widespread, with 89.5% of residents going online recently. Nearly half (49.6%) placed orders online, primarily for clothing, footwear, and fashion accessories, while 74.2% accessed public service websites, often using a Citizen Card or Digital Mobile Key for authentication.
Digital skills are growing, with 59.2% of the population reaching basic or above basic levels. Young adults and tertiary-educated individuals show the highest digital proficiency, at 83.4% and 88.4% respectively.
Household internet penetration stands at 90.9%, predominantly via fixed connections.
Concerns about online safety are on the rise, as 45.2% of internet users reported encountering aggressive or discriminatory content, up from 35.5% in 2023. Reported issues include discrimination based on nationality, politics, and sexual identity.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Cyber Express reports that compromised VPN credentials are now the most common method for ransomware attackers to gain entry. In Q3 2025, nearly half of all ransomware incidents began with valid, stolen VPN logins.
The analysis, based on data from Beazley Security (the insurance arm of Beazley), reveals that threat actors are increasingly exploiting remote access tools, rather than relying solely on software exploits or phishing.
Notably, VPN misuse accounted for more initial access than social engineering, supply chain attacks or remote desktop credential compromises.
One contributing factor is that many organisations do not enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) or maintain strict access controls for VPN accounts. Cyber Express highlights that this situation underscores the ‘critical need’ for MFA and for firms to monitor for credential leaks on the dark web.
The report also mentions specific ransomware groups such as Akira, Qilin and INC, which are known to exploit compromised VPN credentials, often via brute-force attacks or credential stuffing.
From a digital-security policy standpoint, the trend has worrying implications. It shows how traditional perimeter security (like VPNs) is under pressure, and reinforces calls for zero-trust architectures, tighter access governance and proactive credentials-monitoring.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Security researchers have confirmed that the Ultralytics YOLO library was hijacked in a supply-chain attack, where attackers injected malicious code into the PyPI-published versions 8.3.41 and 8.3.42. When installed, these versions deployed the XMRig cryptominer.
The compromise stemmed from Ultralytics’ continuous-integration workflow: by exploiting GitHub Actions, the attackers manipulated the automated build process, bypassing review and injecting cryptocurrency mining malware.
The maintainers quickly removed the malicious versions and released a clean build (8.3.43); however, newer reports suggest that further suspicious versions may have appeared.
This incident illustrates the growing risk in AI library supply chains. As open-source AI frameworks become more widely used, attackers increasingly target their build systems to deliver malware, particularly cryptominers.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Italy has closed its investigation into Google after the company agreed to adjust how it requests user consent for personal data use. Regulators had accused Google of presenting unclear and potentially misleading choices when connecting users to its services.
The authority said Google will now offer clearer explanations about how consent affects data processing. Updates will outline where personal information may be combined or used across the company’s wider service ecosystem.
Officials launched the probe in July 2024, arguing Google’s approach could amount to aggressive commercial practice. Revised consent flows were accepted as sufficient remedies, leading to the closure of the case without financial penalties.
The Italian competition regulator indicated that transparency improvements were central to compliance. Similar scrutiny continues across Europe as regulators assess how large technology firms obtain permission for extensive data handling.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
