Jurisdiction

EU considers blanket crypto ban targeting Russia

European Union officials are weighing a sweeping prohibition on cryptocurrency transactions involving Russia, signalling a more rigid sanctions posture against alternative financial networks.

Policymakers argue that the rapid emergence of replacement crypto service providers has undermined existing restrictions.

Internal European Commission discussions indicate concern that digital assets are facilitating trade flows supporting Russia’s war economy. Authorities say platform-specific sanctions are ineffective, as new entities quickly replicate restricted services.

Proposals under review extend beyond private crypto platforms. Measures could include sanctions on additional Russian banks, restrictions linked to the digital ruble, and scrutiny of payments infrastructure tied to sanctioned trade channels.

The consensus remains uncertain, with some states warning that a blanket ban could shift activity to non-European markets. Parallel trade controls targeting dual-use exports to Kyrgyzstan are also being considered as part of broader anti-circumvention efforts.

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Saudi Arabia recasts Vision 2030 with new priorities

The new phase of Vision 2030 is being steered toward technology, digital infrastructure and advanced industry by Saudi Arabia instead of relying on large urban construction schemes.

Officials highlight the need to support sectors that can accelerate innovation, strengthen data capabilities and expand the kingdom’s role in global tech development.

The move aligns with ongoing efforts to diversify the economy and build long-term competitiveness in areas such as smart manufacturing, logistics technology and clean energy systems.

Recent adjustments involve scaling back or rescheduling some giga projects so that investment can be channelled toward initiatives with strong digital and technological potential.

Elements of the NEOM programme have been revised, while funding attention is shifting to areas that enable automation, renewable technologies and high-value services.

Saudi Arabia aims to position Riyadh as a regional hub for research, emerging technologies and advanced industries. Officials stress that Vision 2030 remains active, yet its next stage will focus on projects that can accelerate technological adoption and strengthen economic resilience.

The Public Investment Fund continues to guide investment toward ecosystems that support innovation, including clean energy, digital infrastructure and international technology partnerships.

An approach that reflects earlier recommendations to match economic planning with evolving skills, future labour market needs and opportunities in fast-growing sectors.

Analysts note that the revised direction prioritises sustainable growth by expanding the kingdom’s participation in global technological development instead of relying mainly on construction-driven momentum.

Social and regulatory reforms connected to digital transformation also remain part of the Vision 2030 agenda. Investments in training, digital literacy and workforce development are intended to ensure that young people can participate fully in the technology sectors the kingdom is prioritising.

With such a shift, the government seeks to balance long-term economic diversification with practical technological goals that reinforce innovation and strengthen the country’s competitive position.

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Global coalition demands ban on AI-nudification tools over child-safety fears

More than 100 organisations have urged governments to outlaw AI-nudification tools after a surge in non-consensual digital images.

Groups such as Amnesty International, the European Commission, and Interpol argue that the technology now fuels harmful practices that undermine human dignity and child safety. Their concerns intensified after the Grok nudification scandal, where users created sexualised images from ordinary photographs.

Campaigners warn that the tools often target women and children instead of staying within any claimed adult-only environment. Millions of manipulated images have circulated across social platforms, with many linked to blackmail, coercion and child sexual abuse material.

Experts say the trauma caused by these AI images is no less serious because the abuse occurs online.

Organisations within the coalition maintain that tech companies already possess the ability to detect and block such material but have failed to apply essential safeguards.

They want developers and platforms to be held accountable and believe that strict prohibitions are now necessary to prevent further exploitation. Advocates argue that meaningful action is overdue and that protection of users must take precedence over commercial interests.

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eSafety escalates scrutiny of Roblox safety measures

Australia’s online safety regulator has notified Roblox of plans to directly test how the platform has implemented a set of child safety commitments agreed last year, amid growing concerns over online grooming and sexual exploitation.

In September last year, Roblox made nine commitments following months of engagement with eSafety, aimed at supporting compliance with obligations under the Online Safety Act and strengthening protections for children in Australia.

Measures included making under-16s’ accounts private by default, restricting contact between adults and minors without parental consent, disabling chat features until age estimation is complete, and extending parental controls and voice chat restrictions for younger users.

Roblox told eSafety at the end of 2025 that it had delivered all agreed commitments, after which the regulator continued monitoring implementation. eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said serious concerns remain over reports of child exploitation and harmful material on the platform.

Direct testing will now examine how the measures work in practice, with support from the Australian Government. Enforcement action may follow, including penalties of up to $49.5 million, alongside checks against new age-restricted content rules from 9 March.

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South Korea launches labour–government body to address AI automation pressures

A new consultative body has been established in South Korea to manage growing anxiety over AI and rapid industrial change.

The Ministry of Employment and Labour joined forces with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions to create a regular channel for negotiating how workplaces should adapt as robots and AI systems become more widespread across key industries.

The two sides will meet monthly to seek agreement on major labour issues. The union argued for a human-centred transition instead of a purely technological one, urging the government to strengthen protections for workers affected by restructuring and AI-powered production methods.

Officials in South Korea responded by promising that policy decisions will reflect direct input gathered from employees on the ground.

Concerns heightened after Hyundai Motor confirmed plans to mass-produce Atlas humanoid robots by 2028 and introduce them across its assembly lines. The project forms part of the company’s ambition to build a ‘physical AI’ future where machines perform risky or repetitive tasks in place of humans.

The debate intensified as new labour statistics showed a sharp decline in employment within professional and scientific technical services, where AI deployment is suspected of reducing demand for new hires.

KCTU warned that industrial transformation could widen inequality unless government policy prioritises people over profit.

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Russia tightens controls as Telegram faces fresh restrictions

Authorities in Russia have tightened their grip on Telegram after the state regulator Roskomnadzor introduced new measures accusing the platform of failing to curb fraud and safeguard personal data.

Users across the country have increasingly reported slow downloads and disrupted media content since January, with complaints rising sharply early in the week. Although officials initially rejected claims of throttling, industry sources insist that download speeds have been deliberately reduced.

Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, argues that Roskomnadzor is trying to steer people toward Max rather than allowing open competition. Max is a government-backed messenger widely viewed by critics as a tool for surveillance and political control.

While text messages continue to load normally for most, media content such as videos, images and voice notes has become unreliable, particularly on mobile devices. Some users report that only the desktop version performs without difficulty.

The slowdown is already affecting daily routines, as many Russians rely on Telegram for work communication and document sharing, much as workplaces elsewhere rely on Slack rather than email.

Officials also use Telegram to issue emergency alerts, and regional leaders warn that delays could undermine public safety during periods of heightened military activity.

Pressure on foreign platforms has grown steadily. Restrictions on voice and video calls were introduced last summer, accompanied by claims that criminals and hostile actors were using Telegram and WhatsApp.

Meanwhile, Max continues to gain users, reaching 70 million monthly accounts by December. Despite its rise, it remains behind Telegram and WhatsApp, which still dominate Russia’s messaging landscape.

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India enforces a three-hour removal rule for AI-generated deepfake content

Strict new rules have been introduced in India for social media platforms in an effort to curb the spread of AI-generated and deepfake material.

Platforms must label synthetic content clearly and remove flagged posts within three hours instead of allowing manipulated material to circulate unchecked. Government notifications and court orders will trigger mandatory action, creating a fast-response mechanism for potentially harmful posts.

Officials argue that rapid removal is essential as deepfakes grow more convincing and more accessible.

Synthetic media has already raised concerns about public safety, misinformation and reputational harm, prompting the government to strengthen oversight of online platforms and their handling of AI-generated imagery.

The measure forms part of a broader push by India to regulate digital environments and anticipate the risks linked to advanced AI tools.

Authorities maintain that early intervention and transparency around manipulated content are vital for public trust, particularly during periods of political sensitivity or high social tension.

Platforms are now expected to align swiftly with the guidelines and cooperate with legal instructions. The government views strict labelling and rapid takedowns as necessary steps to protect users and uphold the integrity of online communication across India.

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Slovenia sets out an ambitious AI vision ahead of global summit

Ambitions for AI were outlined during a presentation at the Jožef Stefan Institute, where Slovenia’s Prime Minister Robert Golob highlighted the country’s growing role in scientific research and technological innovation.

He argued that AI has moved far beyond a supportive research tool and is now shaping the way societies function.

He called for deeper cooperation between engineering and the natural sciences instead of isolated efforts, while stressing that social sciences and the humanities must also be involved to secure balanced development.

Golob welcomed the joint bid for a new national supercomputer, noting that institutions once competing for excellence are now collaborating. He said Europe must build a stronger collective capacity if it wants to keep pace with the US and China.

Europe may excel in knowledge, he added, yet it continues to lag behind in turning that knowledge into useful tools for society.

Government officials set out the investment increases that support Slovenia’s long-term scientific agenda. Funding for research, innovation and development has risen sharply, while work has begun on two major projects: the national supercomputer and the Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence.

Leaders from the Jožef Stefan Institute praised the government for recognising Slovenia’s AI potential and strengthening financial support.

Slovenia will present its progress at next week’s AI Action Summit in Paris, where global leaders, researchers, civil society and industry representatives will discuss sustainable AI standards.

Officials said that sustained investment in knowledge remains the most reliable route to social progress and international competitiveness.

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Anthropic drives strategic trademark dispute in India

US AI company Anthropic’s expansion into India has triggered a legal dispute with a Bengaluru-based software firm that claims it has used the name ‘Anthropic’ since 2017. The Indian company argues that the US AI firm’s market entry has caused customer confusion. It is seeking recognition of prior use and damages of ₹10 million.

A commercial court in Karnataka has issued notice and suit summons to Anthropic but declined to grant an interim injunction. Further hearings are scheduled. The local firm says it prefers coexistence but turned to litigation due to growing marketplace confusion.

The dispute comes as India becomes a key growth market for global AI companies. Anthropic recently announced local leadership and expanded operations in the country. India’s large digital economy and upcoming AI industry events reinforce its strategic importance.

The case also highlights broader challenges linked to the rapid global expansion of AI firms. Trademark protection, brand due diligence, and regulatory clarity are increasingly central to cross-border digital market entry.

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EU Court opens path for WhatsApp to contest privacy rulings

The Court of Justice of the EU has ruled that WhatsApp can challenge an EDPB decision directly in European courts. Judges confirmed that firms may seek annulment when a decision affects them directly instead of relying solely on national procedures.

A ruling that reshapes how companies defend their interests under the GDPR framework.

The judgment centres on a 2021 instruction from the EDPB to Ireland’s Data Protection Commission regarding the enforcement of data protection rules against WhatsApp.

European regulators argued that only national authorities were formal recipients of these decisions. The court found that companies should be granted standing when their commercial rights are at stake.

By confirming this route, the court has created an important precedent for businesses facing cross-border investigations. Companies will be able to contest EDPB decisions at EU level rather than moving first through national courts, a shift that may influence future GDPR enforcement cases across the Union.

Legal observers expect more direct challenges as organisations adjust their compliance strategies. The outcome strengthens judicial oversight of the EDPB and could reshape the balance between national regulators and EU-level bodies in data protection governance.

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