Freedom of expression

Russia fines Google over YouTube content on surrendering soldiers

A Russian court has fined Google 3.8 million roubles (£32,600) for hosting YouTube videos that allegedly instructed Russian soldiers on how to surrender. The ruling is part of Moscow’s ongoing crackdown on content it deems illegal, particularly regarding the war in Ukraine. Google has not yet responded to the decision.

Authorities in Russia have frequently ordered foreign tech companies to remove content they claim spreads misinformation. Critics argue that the government is deliberately slowing YouTube‘s download speeds to limit access to material critical of President Vladimir Putin. Moscow denies the accusation, blaming Google for failing to upgrade its infrastructure.

President Putin has previously accused Google of being used by Washington to serve political interests. The latest fine is one of many imposed on the company as part of Russia’s broader control over digital platforms.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

The Indian village where everyone is a YouTuber

In a small village in central India, a social media revolution is changing lives. Tulsi, once a quiet farming community, has become a hub of YouTube content creation, with over a quarter of its 4,000 residents involved in filming, editing, and acting. What started as an experiment by a few locals has grown into an industry, bringing financial stability and social change to the village.

The shift began in 2018 when Indian YouTubers Jai Varma and Gyanendra Shukla launched their channel, blending humour with social commentary. Their success inspired others, leading to the establishment of a government-funded production studio and a thriving local entertainment scene. For many, YouTube has become a full-time profession, generating new opportunities beyond agriculture. Women, previously limited by traditional roles, are now prominent creators and performers, using the platform to challenge social norms.

Tulsi’s impact extends beyond the internet, as several local talents have broken into regional cinema. Pinky Sahoo, once discouraged from pursuing acting, is now a film star, proving that digital fame can translate to the big screen. Others, like rapper Rajesh Diwar, hope to use YouTube to put their local culture on the global map. In a country where millions seek creative outlets, Tulsi is a shining example of how technology can reshape even the most remote communities.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

TikTok returns to US app stores after ban delay

TikTok has returned to US app stores after President Donald Trump temporarily delayed a ban on the Chinese-owned social media platform. The app, which briefly went offline last month due to a new law requiring its parent company, ByteDance, to sell its US operations or face a ban, is now available for download again.

Despite TikTok resuming service, Google and Apple had initially removed it from their stores while awaiting assurances that they would not be penalised for hosting the app. Trump signed an executive order extending the deadline for TikTok’s sale by 75 days, allowing the platform to operate in the US without immediate repercussions.

The delay has sparked interest from potential buyers, including former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, as analysts estimate TikTok’s US business could be worth up to $50 billion. The app, which had over 52 million downloads in 2024, remains one of the most popular in the country.

The law requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok’s US assets was signed last April by then-President Joe Biden, driven by national security concerns over potential Chinese government influence. That move marks an unprecedented step in US policy, granting the government broad authority to ban or force the sale of foreign-owned apps. Trump has stated that he is discussing TikTok’s future with multiple parties and expects to make a final decision by February.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Italian government denies role in spyware targeting critics

The Italian government is under increasing pressure to explain its links to Israeli spyware firm Paragon, following reports that the company severed ties with Rome over allegations of misuse. The controversy erupted after WhatsApp revealed that Paragon spyware had been used to target multiple users, including a journalist and a human rights activist critical of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

While the government has confirmed that seven people in Italy were affected, it denies any involvement in the hacking and has called for an investigation. However, reports from The Guardian and Haaretz claim Paragon cut ties with Italy due to doubts over the government’s denial. Opposition politicians have demanded clarity, with former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi insisting that those responsible be held accountable.

Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini initially suggested that internal disputes within the intelligence services might be behind the scandal, though he later retracted his comment, claiming he was referring to unrelated cases. Meanwhile, critics argue that the government cannot ignore the growing concerns over the potential misuse of surveillance tools against political opponents.

With mounting calls for transparency, the affair has intensified debate over government accountability and digital surveillance, raising broader questions about the ethical use of spyware within democratic nations.

US Android users can now install TikTok directly from its website

TikTok has introduced a new method for US Android users to download the app directly from its website, bypassing restrictions imposed by app stores.

The move follows a US law that took effect on 19 January, requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban. Apple and Google have yet to reinstate the app in their stores.

President Donald Trump, who took office the day after the law was enacted, signed an executive order delaying enforcement by 75 days. Discussions over TikTok’s future are ongoing, with Trump stating a decision is expected this month.

The president also ordered the creation of a sovereign wealth fund, which could potentially acquire TikTok.

Concerns over data security have driven US officials to push for ByteDance to divest from TikTok. Critics argue that the ban threatens free speech, with advocates questioning claims about the company’s ties to China.

TikTok maintains that US user data is stored on Oracle-operated servers and that moderation decisions affecting American users are made domestically.

German court orders X to share election misinformation data

A German court has ruled that Elon Musk’s social media platform X must provide researchers with data to track the spread of misinformation ahead of the country’s national election on 23 February. The Berlin district court’s decision follows a legal challenge by civil rights groups, who argued that the platform had a duty under European law to make election-related engagement data more accessible.

The German ruling obliges X to disclose information such as post reach, shares, and likes, allowing researchers to monitor how misleading narratives circulate online. The court emphasised that immediate access to the data was crucial, as delays could undermine efforts to track election-related disinformation in real time. The company, which had failed to respond to a previous request for information, was also ordered to cover the €6,000 legal costs.

The case was brought forward by the German Society for Civil Rights (GFF) and Democracy Reporting International, who hailed the verdict as a major win for democratic integrity. Concerns over misinformation on X have intensified, particularly following Musk’s public endorsement of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), currently polling in second place. In January, Musk posted that ‘only the AfD can save Germany,’ sparking further scrutiny over the platform’s role in political discourse.

X has yet to respond to the ruling. The decision could set a precedent for how social media companies handle election-related transparency, particularly within the European Union’s regulatory framework.

Sony extends PlayStation Plus after global network disruption

PlayStation Plus subscribers will receive an automatic five-day extension after a global outage disrupted the PlayStation Network for around 18 hours on Friday and Saturday. Sony confirmed on Sunday that network services had been fully restored and apologised for the inconvenience but did not specify the cause of the disruption.

The outage, which started late on Friday, left users unable to sign in, play online games or access the PlayStation Store. By Saturday evening, Sony announced that services were back online. At its peak, Downdetector.com recorded nearly 8,000 affected users in the US and over 7,300 in the UK.

PlayStation Network plays a vital role in Sony’s gaming division, supporting millions of users worldwide. Previous disruptions have been more severe, including a cyberattack in 2014 that shut down services for several days and a major 2011 data breach affecting 77 million users, leading to a month-long shutdown and regulatory scrutiny.

Scottish poet calls for AI-free literature

Scotland’s Makar, Peter Mackay, has voiced concerns about the growing role of artificial intelligence in literature, warning that it could threaten the livelihoods of new writers. With AI tools capable of generating dialogue, plot ideas, and entire narratives, Mackay fears that competing with machine-created content may become increasingly difficult for human authors.

To address these challenges, he has proposed clearer distinctions between human and AI-generated work. Ideas discussed include a certification system similar to the Harris Tweed Orb, ensuring books are marked as ‘100% AI-free.’ Another suggestion is an ingredient-style label outlining an AI-generated book’s influences, listing percentages of various literary styles.

Mackay also believes literary prizes, such as the Highland Book Prize, can play a role in safeguarding human creativity by celebrating originality and unique writing styles and qualities that AI struggles to replicate. He warns of the day an AI-generated book wins a major award, questioning what it would mean for writers who spend years perfecting their craft.

Italian activist targeted by spyware, Meta warns

Luca Casarini, a prominent Italian migrant rescue activist, was warned by Meta that his phone had been targeted with spyware. The alert was received through WhatsApp, the same day Meta accused surveillance firm Paragon Solutions of using advanced hacking methods to steal user data. Paragon, reportedly American-owned, has not responded to the allegations.

Casarini, who co-founded the Mediterranea Saving Humans charity, has faced legal action in Italy over his rescue work. He has also been a target of anti-migrant media and previously had his communications intercepted in a case related to alleged illegal immigration. He remains unaware of who attempted to hack his device or whether the attack had judicial approval.

The revelation follows a similar warning issued to Italian journalist Francesco Cancellato, whose investigative news outlet, Fanpage, recently exposed far-right sympathies within Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s political youth wing. Italy’s interior ministry has yet to comment on the situation.

Security concerns lead to Australian ban on DeepSeek

Australia has banned Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from all government devices, citing security risks. The directive, issued by the Department of Home Affairs, requires all government entities to prevent the installation of DeepSeek’s applications and remove any existing instances from official systems. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated that the immediate ban was necessary to safeguard Australia’s national security.

The move follows similar action taken by Italy and Taiwan, with other countries also reviewing potential risks posed by the AI firm. DeepSeek has drawn global attention for its cost-effective AI models, which have disrupted the industry by operating with lower hardware requirements than competitors. The rapid rise of the company has raised concerns over data security, particularly regarding its Chinese origins.

This is not the first time Australia has taken such action against a Chinese technology firm. Two years ago, the government imposed a nationwide ban on TikTok for similar security reasons. As scrutiny over AI intensifies, more governments may follow Australia’s lead in limiting DeepSeek’s reach within public sector networks.