Indonesia has restored access to Grok after receiving guarantees from X that stronger safeguards will be introduced to prevent further misuse of the AI tool.
Authorities suspended the service last month following the spread of sexualised images on the platform, making Indonesia the first country to block the system.
Officials from the Ministry of Communications and Digital Affairs said that access had been reinstated on a conditional basis after X submitted a written commitment outlining concrete measures to strengthen compliance with national law.
The ministry emphasised that the document serves as a starting point for evaluation instead of signalling the end of supervision.
However, the government warned that restrictions could return if Grok fails to meet local standards or if new violations emerge. Indonesian regulators stressed that monitoring would remain continuous, and access could be withdrawn immediately should inconsistencies be detected.
The decision marks a cautious reopening rather than a full reinstatement, reflecting Indonesia’s wider efforts to demand greater accountability from global platforms deploying advanced AI systems within its borders.
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The reported approval follows earlier developments in which ByteDance, Alibaba and Tencent were allowed to purchase more than 400,000 H200 chips in total, suggesting Beijing is moving from broad caution to selective, case-by-case permissions. Separate coverage has described the approvals as a shift after weeks of uncertainty over whether China would allow imports, even as US export licensing was moving forward.
Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang, speaking in Taipei, said the company had not received confirmation of DeepSeek’s clearance and indicated the licensing process is still being finalised, underscoring the uncertainty for suppliers and buyers. China’s industry and commerce ministries have been involved in approvals, with conditions reportedly shaped by the state planner, the National Development and Reform Commission.
The H200 has become a high-stakes flashpoint in US-China tech ties because access to top-tier chips directly affects AI capability and competitiveness. US political scrutiny is also rising: a senior US lawmaker has alleged Nvidia provided technical support that helped DeepSeek develop advanced models later used by China’s military, according to a letter published by the House Select Committee on China; Nvidia has pushed back against such claims in subsequent reporting.
DeepSeek is also preparing a next-generation model, V4, expected in mid-February, according to reporting that cited people familiar with the matter, which makes access to high-end compute especially consequential for timelines and performance.
Why does it matter?
If China’s conditional approvals translate into real shipments, they could ease a key bottleneck for Chinese AI development while extending Nvidia’s footprint in a market constrained by geopolitics. At the same time, the episode highlights how AI hardware is now regulated not only by Washington’s export controls but also by Beijing’s import approvals, with companies caught between shifting policy priorities.
Regulators in the Netherlands have opened a formal investigation into Roblox over concerns about inadequate protections for children using the popular gaming platform.
The national authority responsible for enforcing digital rules is examining whether the company has implemented the safeguards required under the Digital Services Act rather than relying solely on voluntary measures.
Officials say children may have been exposed to harmful environments, including violent or sexualised material, as well as manipulative interfaces encouraging more extended play.
The concerns intensify pressure on the EU authorities to monitor social platforms that attract younger users, even when they do not meet the threshold for huge online platforms.
Roblox says it has worked with Dutch regulators for months and recently introduced age checks for users who want to use chat. The company argues that it has invested in systems designed to reinforce privacy, security and safety features for minors.
The Dutch authority plans to conclude the investigation within a year. The outcome could include fines or broader compliance requirements and is likely to influence upcoming European rules on gaming and consumer protection, due later in the decade.
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France has blocked the planned divestment of Eutelsat’s ground-station infrastructure, arguing that control over satellite facilities remains essential for national sovereignty.
The aborted sale to EQT Infrastructure VI had been announced as a significant transaction, yet the company revealed that the required conditions had not been met.
Officials in France say that the infrastructure forms part of a strategic system used for both civilian and military purposes.
The finance minister described Eutelsat as Europe’s only genuine competitor to Starlink, further strengthening the view that France must retain authority over ground-station operations rather than allow external ownership.
Eutelsat stressed that the proposed transfer concerned only passive facilities such as buildings and site management rather than active control systems. Even so, French authorities believe that end-to-end stewardship of satellite ground networks is essential to safeguard operational independence.
The company says the failed sale will not hinder its capital plans, including the deployment of hundreds of replacement satellites for the OneWeb constellation.
Investors had not commented by publication time, yet the decision highlights France’s growing assertiveness in satellite governance and broader European debates on technological autonomy.
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The East Asian country is preparing to enforce a nationwide ban on mobile phone use in classrooms, yet schools remain divided over how strictly the new rules should be applied.
A ban that takes effect in March under the revised education law, and officials have already released guidance enabling principals to warn students and restrict smart devices during lessons.
These reforms will allow devices only for limited educational purposes, emergencies or support for pupils with disabilities.
Schools may also collect and store phones under their own rules, giving administrators the authority to prohibit possession rather than merely restricting use. The ministry has ordered every principal to establish formal regulations by late August, leaving interim decisions to each school leader.
Educators in South Korea warn that inconsistent approaches are creating uncertainty. Some schools intend to collect phones in bulk, others will require students to keep devices switched off, while several remain unsure how far to go in tightening their policies.
The Korean Federation of Teachers’ Associations argues that such differences will trigger complaints from parents and pupils unless the ministry provides a unified national standard.
Surveys show wide variation in current practice, with some schools banning possession during lessons while others allow use during breaks.
Many teachers say their institutions are ready for stricter rules, yet a substantial minority report inadequate preparation. The debate highlights the difficulty of imposing uniform digital discipline across a diverse education system.
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European data protection authorities recorded a sharp rise in GDPR violation reports in 2025, according to a new study by law firm DLA Piper, signalling growing regulatory pressure across the European Union.
Average daily reports surpassed 400 for the first time since the regulation entered force in 2018, reaching 443 incidents per day, a 22% increase compared with the previous year. The firm noted that expanding digital systems, new breach reporting laws, and geopolitical cyber risks may be driving the surge.
Despite the higher number of cases in the EU, total fines remained broadly stable at around €1.2 billion for the year, pushing cumulative GDPR penalties since 2018 to €7.1 billion, underlining regulators’ continued willingness to impose major sanctions.
Ireland once again led enforcement figures, with fines imposed by its Data Protection Commission totaling €4.04 billion, reflecting the presence of major technology firms headquartered there, including Meta, Google, and Apple.
Recent headline penalties included a €1.2 billion fine against Meta and a €530 million sanction against TikTok over data transfers to China, while courts across Europe increasingly consider compensation claims linked to GDPR violations.
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The European Commission has opened a formal investigation into Grok after the tool produced millions of sexualised images of women and children.
A scrutiny that centres on whether X failed to carry out adequate risk assessments before releasing the undressing feature in the European market. The case arrives as ministers, including Sweden’s deputy prime minister, publicly reveal being targeted by the technology.
Brussels is preparing to use its strongest digital laws instead of deferring to US pressure. The Digital Services Act allows the European Commission to fine major platforms or force compliance measures when systemic harms emerge.
Experts argue the Grok investigation represents an important test of European resolve, particularly as the bloc tries to show it can hold powerful companies to account.
Concerns remain about the willingness of the EU to act decisively. Reports suggest the opening of the probe was delayed because of a tariff dispute with Washington, raising questions about whether geopolitical considerations slowed the enforcement response.
Several lawmakers say the delay undermined confidence in the bloc’s commitment to protecting fundamental rights.
The investigation could last months and may have wider implications for content ranking systems already under scrutiny.
Critics say financial penalties may not be enough to change behaviour at X, yet the case is still viewed as a pivotal moment for European digital governance. Observers believe a firm outcome would demonstrate that emerging harms linked to synthetic media cannot be ignored.
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Meta has announced a new pricing model for third-party AI chatbots operating on WhatsApp, where regulators require the company to permit them, starting with Italy.
From 16 February 2026, developers will be charged about $0.0691 (€0.0572/£ 0.0572/£0.0498) per AI-generated response that’s not a predefined template.
This move follows Italy’s competition authority intervening to force Meta to suspend its ban on third-party AI bots on the WhatsApp Business API, which had taken effect in January and led many providers (like OpenAI, Perplexity and Microsoft) to discontinue their chatbots on the platform.
Meta says the fee applies only where legally required to open chatbot access, and this pricing may set a precedent if other markets compel similar access.
WhatsApp already charges businesses for ‘template’ API messages (e.g. notifications, authentication), but this is the first instance of explicit charges tied to AI responses, potentially leading to high costs for high-volume chatbot usage.
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The legislation would grant the Commodity Futures Trading Commission new regulatory authority over digital commodities and establish consumer protections, including safeguards against conflicts of interest.
Chairman John Boozman proceeded with the bill after losing bipartisan support when Senator Cory Booker withdrew backing for the version presented. The Senate Banking Committee must approve the measure before the two versions can be combined and advanced to the Senate floor.
Democrats raised concerns about the legislation, particularly regarding President Donald Trump’s cryptocurrency ventures. Senator Booker stated the bill departed from bipartisan principles established in November, noting Republicans ‘walked away’ from previous agreements.
Democrats offered amendments to ban public officials from engaging in the crypto industry and to address foreign-adversary involvement in digital commodities. Still, all were rejected as outside the committee’s jurisdiction.
Senator Gillibrand expressed optimism about the bill’s advancement, whilst Boozman called the vote ‘a critical step towards creating clear rules’. The Senate Banking Committee’s consideration was postponed following opposition from the crypto industry, with no new hearing date set.
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The Dutch data protection authority has urged the government to act swiftly to protect the country’s digital sovereignty, warning that dependence on overseas technology firms could expose vital public services to significant risk.
Concern has intensified after DigiD, the national digital identity system, appeared set for acquisition by a US company, raising questions about long-term control of key infrastructure.
The watchdog argues that the Netherlands relies heavily on a small group of non-European cloud and IT providers, and stresses that public bodies lack clear exit strategies if foreign ownership suddenly shifts.
Additionally, the watchdog criticises the government for treating digital autonomy as an academic exercise rather than recognising its immediate implications for communication between the state and citizens.
In a letter to the economy minister, the authority calls for a unified national approach rather than fragmented decisions by individual public bodies.
It proposes sovereignty criteria for all government contracts and suggests termination clauses that enable the state to withdraw immediately if a provider is sold abroad. It also notes the importance of designing public services to allow smooth provider changes when required.
The watchdog urges the government to strengthen European capacity by investing in scalable domestic alternatives, including a Dutch-controlled government cloud. The economy ministry has declined to comment.
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