Freedom of expression

Musk’s X wins court motion to remove judge in German election data case

Elon Musk-owned social media platform X has succeeded in removing a judge from a German court case concerning demands for real-time election data.

The case, brought by activist groups Democracy Reporting International and the Society for Civil Rights, aimed to secure immediate access to data from the February 23 German election to monitor misinformation.

Although a Berlin court initially supported the activists’ request, X filed a motion arguing the judge had shown bias by interacting with the plaintiffs’ social media posts. The court approved the motion, though similar claims against two other judges were dismissed.

The ruling means that the activists will not receive the requested data within their critical timeframe. A hearing on the matter is set for February 27, but any ruling will come too late to influence their election monitoring efforts in Germany.

However, the decision could establish an important precedent for future transparency cases involving social media platforms. The activists had argued that while some election data is technically accessible, it is not realistically obtainable without direct access from X.

X has also announced plans to sue the German government over what it calls excessive user data requests, claiming these demands violate privacy and freedom of expression.

The German digital affairs ministry acknowledged X’s public statements but confirmed that no formal lawsuits had been filed yet. The escalating legal dispute highlights growing tensions between Musk and German authorities, particularly as the country prepares for key elections amid concerns over misinformation.

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

UK users face reduced cloud security as Apple responds to government pressure

Apple has withdrawn its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature for cloud backups in Britain, citing government requirements.

Users attempting to enable the encryption service now receive an error message, while existing users will eventually have to deactivate it. The move weakens iCloud security in the country, allowing authorities access to data that would otherwise be encrypted.

Experts warn that the change compromises user privacy and exposes data to potential cyber threats. Apple has insisted it will not create a backdoor for encrypted services, as doing so would increase security risks.

The UK government has not confirmed whether it issued a Technical Capability Notice, which could mandate such access.

Apple’s decision highlights ongoing tensions between tech companies and governments over encryption policies. Similar legal frameworks exist in countries like Australia, raising concerns that other nations could follow suit.

Security advocates argue that strong encryption is essential for protecting user privacy and safeguarding sensitive information from cybercriminals.

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

Public invited to comment on FTC’s Big Tech probe

The US Federal Trade Commission has launched an inquiry into tech companies’ content moderation policies and decisions to ban users. FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson stated that such actions could amount to censorship and potentially breach the law.

Concerns have been raised about whether platforms misled users or unfairly suppressed conservative voices. Ferguson previously suggested that advertisers may have coordinated to withdraw spending from sites like Elon Musk’s X due to content concerns.

Unclear moderation policies could violate laws against deceptive business practices or stem from anticompetitive behaviour. The FTC is now seeking public input, with online comments open until 21 May.

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

Australian kids overlook social media age checks

A recent report by Australia’s eSafety regulator reveals that children in the country are finding it easy to bypass age restrictions on social media platforms. The findings come ahead of a government ban, set to take effect at the end of 2025, that will prevent children under the age of 16 from using these platforms. The report highlights data from a national survey on social media use among 8 to 15-year-olds and feedback from eight major services, including YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok.

The report shows that 80% of Australian children aged 8 to 12 were using social media in 2024, with YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat being the most popular platforms. While most platforms, except Reddit, require users to enter their date of birth during sign-up, the report indicates that these systems rely on self-declaration, which can be easily manipulated. Despite these weaknesses, 95% of teens under 16 were found to be active on at least one of the platforms surveyed.

While some platforms, such as TikTok, Twitch, and YouTube, have introduced tools to proactively detect underage users, others have not fully implemented age verification technologies. YouTube remains exempt from the upcoming ban, allowing children under 13 to use the platform with parental supervision. However, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant stressed that there is still significant work needed to enforce the government’s minimum age legislation effectively.

The report also noted that most of the services surveyed had conducted research to improve their age verification processes. However, as the law approaches, there are increasing calls for app stores to take greater responsibility for enforcing age restrictions.

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

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.