Jurisdiction

Rumble and Trump Media take legal action in US against Brazilian judge

Trump Media & Technology Group and Rumble have filed an emergency motion in a US court against Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. The firms argue that his orders violate US sovereignty, constitutional rights, and laws.

The dispute began when Moraes ordered Rumble to suspend its services in Brazil until it complied with local regulations. The judge also threatened criminal charges against Rumble’s CEO, Chris Pavlovski, for non-compliance. The company had previously sued Moraes in a US court over alleged illegal censorship.

Moraes has been a key figure in Brazil’s crackdown on disinformation, particularly during Jair Bolsonaro’s presidency.

He has also ordered fines and restrictions on accounts linked to Bolsonaro allies, including Allan dos Santos, who is under investigation for spreading false information.

The Brazilian Supreme Court has yet to respond to the motion, while Rumble and Trump Media continue their legal battle in the US.

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SEC drops investigation into OpenSea

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has decided to close its investigation into NFT marketplace OpenSea, marking a significant win for the cryptocurrency industry. OpenSea’s CEO, Devin Finzer, shared the news, calling it a victory for creators and innovators in the space. He expressed relief that the SEC would not classify NFTs as securities, as this could have hindered progress and innovation.

The move follows a similar announcement from Coinbase, where the SEC dropped its case against the exchange. The shift towards a more relaxed regulatory stance under the current administration is seen as a sign that the crypto industry may be gaining ground.

In addition to the regulatory win, OpenSea has announced a new SEA token airdrop, rewarding loyal users of its platform and Seaport protocol. Though details on the launch remain unclear, the move has excited the community. OpenSea has also launched OS2, a new multi-chain trading platform, further enhancing its services.

The SEC’s decision signals a shift in the regulatory landscape, as crypto-friendly policies seem to gain momentum under the influence of pro-crypto figures within the agency.

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Australia slaps A$1 million fine on Telegram

Australia’s eSafety Commission has fined messaging platform Telegram A$1 million ($640,000) for failing to respond promptly to questions regarding measures it took to prevent child abuse and extremist content. The Commission had asked social media platforms, including Telegram, to provide details on their efforts to combat harmful content. Telegram missed the May 2024 deadline, submitting its response in October, which led to the fine.

eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant emphasised the importance of timely transparency and adherence to Australian law. Telegram, however, disagreed with the penalty, stating that it had fully responded to the questions, and plans to appeal the fine, which it claims was solely due to the delay in response time.

The fine comes amid increasing global scrutiny of Telegram, with growing concerns over its use by extremists. Australia’s spy agency recently noted that a significant portion of counter-terrorism cases involved youth, highlighting the increasing risk posed by online extremist content. If Telegram does not comply with the penalty, the eSafety Commission could pursue further legal action.

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US lawmakers criticise EU’s Digital Markets Act

US House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan has called on European Union antitrust chief Teresa Ribera to clarify how the EU enforces its Digital Markets Act (DMA), which he believes disproportionately targets American companies. His request follows a memorandum signed by US President Donald Trump, warning that the administration would scrutinise the EU’s new rules regulating how US companies interact with consumers in Europe.

Jordan and his co-signatory, Scott Fitzgerald, criticised the DMA’s hefty fines, which can reach up to 10% of a company’s global revenue for violations. They argue that the rules not only disadvantage US companies but also potentially benefit Chinese firms, stifling innovation and handing over valuable data to adversarial nations. The letter urges Ribera to address these concerns with the judiciary committee by March 10.

The European Commission, where Ribera is the second-highest official, has rejected claims that its laws are aimed at American companies. Ribera defended the DMA in a recent interview, stating that the EU should not be pressured into altering laws that have already been approved by European lawmakers.

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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.

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Telstra faces penalties after broadband speed ruling

Australia’s Federal Court has ruled that telecom giant Telstra misled customers about downgrading the upload speed of its broadband plans. The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) initiated legal action in December 2022, accusing Telstra of downgrading the upload speeds for nearly 9,000 customers in 2020 without informing them or adjusting charges accordingly.

The ACCC argued that Telstra’s failure to notify customers deprived them of the chance to decide whether the altered service met their needs. The regulator is seeking penalties, compensation for affected customers, and other measures, with a final decision to be made by the court later.

Telstra expressed disappointment in the ruling but acknowledged the court’s decision. A spokesperson said the company would review the judgment before deciding on further steps.

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Brazil slaps X with $1.42 million fine for noncompliance

Brazil‘s Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has fined social media platform X, owned by Elon Musk, 8.1 million reais ($1.42 million) for failing to comply with judicial orders. The ruling, made public on Thursday, follows a legal case from 2023 where the court had instructed X to remove a profile spreading misinformation and provide the user’s registration data.

X’s failure to meet these demands resulted in a daily fine of 100,000 reais, and the company’s local legal representative faced potential criminal liability. The court order required the immediate payment of the fine, citing the platform’s noncompliance. X’s legal team in Brazil has not commented on the matter.

In 2024, X faced a month-long suspension in Brazil for not adhering to court orders related to hate speech moderation and for failing to designate a legal representative in the country, as mandated by law.

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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.

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Stricter rules for WhatsApp after EU designation

WhatsApp has officially met the threshold set by the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), marking its designation as a Very Large Online Platform.

The messaging app, owned by Meta Platforms, reported an average of 46.8 million monthly users in the EU during the latter half of 2024, surpassing the 45-million-user threshold established by the DSA.

The new classification requires WhatsApp to strengthen efforts in tackling illegal and harmful online content.

The platform must assess system risks related to public security, fundamental rights, and protecting minors within four months to comply with the DSA. Violations could result in fines reaching up to 6% of global annual revenue.

Meta’s Instagram and Facebook are already subject to the same rules. While complying with the stricter regulations, Meta leadership, including Mark Zuckerberg, has expressed concerns about the growing impact of EU tech laws.

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iPhone 16e features Apple-designed C1 subsystem

Apple has introduced its first custom-designed modem chip, marking a significant step towards reducing reliance on Qualcomm. The new chip, a part of Apple’s C1 subsystem, debuts in the $599 iPhone 16e and will eventually be integrated across other products.

The C1 subsystem includes advanced components like processors and memory, offering better battery life and enhanced artificial intelligence features.

Apple has ensured the modem is globally compatible, testing it with 180 carriers in 55 countries. Executives highlight its ability to prioritise network traffic for smoother performance, setting it apart from competitors.

Modem development is highly complex, with few companies achieving global compatibility. Apple previously relied on Qualcomm but resolved to design its own platform after legal disputes and challenges with alternative suppliers.

The C1 subsystem represents Apple’s strategy to tightly integrate modem technology with its processors for long-term product differentiation.

Apple’s senior hardware executives described the C1 as their most complex creation, combining cutting-edge chipmaking techniques. The new platform underscores Apple’s focus on control and innovation in core technologies.

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