Jurisdiction

South Sudan lifts ban on Facebook and TikTok after violent unrest

South Sudan has lifted a temporary ban on Facebook and TikTok, imposed following the spread of graphic videos allegedly showing the killings of South Sudanese nationals in Sudan. The National Communications Authority confirmed on 27 January that the disturbing content, which had sparked violent protests and retaliatory killings across South Sudan, has been removed from the platforms.

The videos, which documented ethnically targeted attacks in Sudan’s El Gezira state, had led to widespread outrage. Rights groups blamed the Sudanese army and its allies for the violence, while the army denounced the incidents as isolated violations. South Sudanese authorities urged for a balanced approach to addressing online incitement while protecting the public’s rights.

The unrest highlights the volatile relationship between social media and violence in the region. Authorities continue to call for action to address the root causes of such content while promoting accountability and safety.

EU sanctions three Russians over 2020 cyberattacks on Estonia

The European Union has imposed sanctions on three Russian nationals for their alleged role in cyberattacks targeting Estonia in 2020. Nikolay Korchagin, 28, Vitaly Shevchenko, 28, and Yuriy Denisov, 45—suspected operatives of the cyber division of Russia’s GRU military intelligence service—are accused of breaching classified Estonian government networks and stealing sensitive data.

According to the Council of the EU, the attacks compromised thousands of confidential documents, including business secrets, health records, and other critical information. In September 2024, Estonia publicly attributed the attack to Unit 29155, marking the first time the country formally identified a state-backed cyber operation.

‘Both a national and an international investigation that included 10 countries showed that Russia aimed to damage national computer systems, obtain sensitive information and strike a blow against our sense of security,’ Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated at the time.

As part of the sanctions, Korchagin, Shevchenko, and Denisov face an asset freeze, a prohibition on EU individuals and businesses providing them with funds, and a travel ban barring them from entering or transiting through the EU territory.

The move follows a similar decision by the US government in September last year. The US Department of Justice indicted members of Unit 29155 and placed a $10 million bounty for information aiding prosecution. The indictment primarily focused on the WhisperGate cyberattack—a data-wiping operation targeting Ukraine ahead of Russia’s 2022 invasion. Korchagin and Denisov were specifically named in the US sanctions, while Shevchenko was labelled an ‘associated individual’ by the State Department.

Last year, the EU’s credibility in cyber sanctions was undermined when a clerical error in a formal sanctions notice mistakenly identified the wrong Russian intelligence agency responsible for a series of cyberattacks. Additionally, Bart Groothuis, a Dutch MEP and former Ministry of Defence employee, noted that the EU’s response remains fragmented, particularly in comparison to coordinated actions taken by the US and UK.

Italy suspends DeepSeek AI app amid data protection concerns

The Chinese AI app DeepSeek was removed from Apple and Google app stores in Italy on Wednesday, following a request by the country’s data protection authority for information on its handling of personal data. Italy’s Garante regulator gave DeepSeek 20 days to clarify what data it collects, its sources, purposes, and whether it is stored in China. Concerns over safeguarding underage users, potential bias, and risks of electoral interference were also highlighted by Garante chief Pasquale Stanzione.

The app, which recently surpassed ChatGPT in downloads from Apple’s App Store, remains functional for Italian users who had already installed it. It is also still available in other European Union countries and the UK. Ireland‘s Data Protection Commission has also sought details about DeepSeek’s data processing practices for Irish users, while Germany‘s government has voiced concerns about potential AI-driven election interference ahead of its February vote.

Italy’s Garante is known for its proactive stance on AI regulations, having temporarily banned ChatGPT in 2023 over alleged breaches of EU privacy laws. DeepSeek, which touts itself as a cost-efficient alternative to U.S. AI services, has faced mounting scrutiny as it gains popularity. Meanwhile, Irish regulators noted that DeepSeek has not designated Ireland as its EU headquarters, complicating oversight under EU data protection rules.

Google appeals EU’s record antitrust fine

Google has appealed to the EU’s top court to overturn a record 4.3-billion-euro antitrust fine imposed seven years ago, arguing that the penalty punished the company for its innovation. The fine was originally levied by the European Commission, which accused Google of using its Android operating system to suppress competition by forcing manufacturers to pre-install Google Search, Chrome, and the Google Play store on devices. While the fine was later reduced to 4.1 billion euros by a lower court, Google maintains that its actions fostered competition, not hindered it.

During Tuesday’s hearing, Google lawyer Alfonso Lamadrid stated that the Commission failed to meet its legal obligations and relied on errors in law. Lamadrid defended Google’s agreements with phone manufacturers, insisting they were not anti-competitive, but rather beneficial to the market. The case centres on whether the European Commission acted appropriately in its investigation and decision to reshape markets through such penalties.

The judges of the Luxembourg-based Court of Justice of the European Union will make a final ruling in the coming months, with no further opportunity for appeal. In addition to this case, Google remains under scrutiny by EU regulators for its advertising business, with another major decision expected later this year.

Trump reveals Microsoft in negotiations to buy TikTok

US President Donald Trump revealed on Monday that Microsoft is in discussions to acquire TikTok, expressing a desire for a bidding war over the popular app. While Microsoft declined to comment, TikTok and its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, did not immediately respond to media inquiries. TikTok, which has around 170 million US users, faced a brief shutdown just before a law that could force ByteDance to sell the app or face a ban took effect in January.

Trump mentioned last week that he was in talks with various parties regarding TikTok’s future, promising a decision within 30 days. The president also indicated that he would be open to Elon Musk acquiring TikTok, although the Tesla CEO has yet to comment. In addition to Microsoft, AI startup Perplexity AI proposed merging with TikTok, suggesting a potential deal where the US government could hold up to half of the new company.

This marks the second time Microsoft has been involved in potential talks to acquire TikTok. Back in 2020, Microsoft emerged as a frontrunner in buying the app, but those discussions eventually collapsed. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella later described the situation as “the strangest thing” he had ever worked on, noting how the deal abruptly disappeared after the Trump administration pushed for a divestment.

OpenAI faces legal action from Indian news companies

Several prominent Indian media outlets, including those owned by billionaires Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani, are taking legal action against OpenAI. These outlets, such as NDTV and Network18, along with organisations like the Indian Express and Hindustan Times, have filed to join an ongoing lawsuit against OpenAI in a New Delhi court. They allege that OpenAI has been improperly scraping their copyrighted content to train its AI model, ChatGPT, without permission or payment.

The legal claim, which is being led by the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA), argues that OpenAI’s practices pose a significant threat to the copyrights of its members. The publishers claim that OpenAI’s actions amount to ‘wilful scraping’ and the use of their work for commercial gain, especially as the company generates revenue through ads linked to AI-generated content. This lawsuit highlights broader concerns in the media industry about the influence of large tech companies on content distribution and monetisation.

The legal proceedings are part of a larger global trend, with authors, musicians, and news organisations worldwide suing AI firms for using their works without compensation. In the US, the New York Times has filed a similar lawsuit against OpenAI and its major backer, Microsoft. This new case in India adds significant pressure to OpenAI, which has denied the allegations, arguing that its AI systems rely on publicly available data and that deleting such data could violate US law.

The Indian plaintiffs argue that OpenAI’s failure to strike content-sharing deals with local publishers, while it has done so with international media outlets, undermines the business of Indian news companies. The publishers warn that OpenAI’s practices could weaken the media landscape and negatively impact democracy, calling for greater protection of intellectual property in the age of AI.

Kraken’s major defence dismissed in SEC lawsuit

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has partially won its case against the crypto exchange Kraken. A California federal judge ruled on 24 January 2025, dismissing Kraken’s argument that Congress had not granted the SEC jurisdiction over the crypto market. Judge William Orrick decided that the SEC’s actions fell within powers that Congress could reasonably have delegated to the agency.

Kraken had invoked the ‘major questions doctrine,’ which argues that government agencies cannot exercise powers not specifically granted by Congress. Other crypto companies, such as Coinbase and Binance, have used this defence in similar cases. However, Judge Orrick noted that while cryptocurrency is growing, it has not reached an economic significance comparable to other sectors like energy or student loans.

Despite this, the court allowed Kraken’s ‘fair notice’ defence to remain in place. Kraken claimed it wasn’t adequately informed by the SEC about how its activities might violate securities laws. The case, which began in November 2023, is part of the SEC’s ongoing efforts to regulate the crypto industry, with Kraken accused of operating without proper registration as a securities exchange.

Trump hints at TikTok deal within 30 days

Discussions surrounding TikTok’s ownership and future in the US are intensifying, with President Trump indicating a decision could come within 30 days. Speaking aboard Air Force One, he confirmed conversations with multiple parties interested in acquiring the app. Trump emphasised substantial interest in TikTok, which boasts 170 million American users.

The White House is reportedly pursuing a plan involving Oracle and external investors to address national security concerns. The proposal under consideration would allow ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based parent company, to retain a minority stake, while Oracle would oversee data management and software updates. These arrangements aim to allay fears of Chinese government interference.

Oracle’s involvement builds on its existing role in hosting TikTok’s US user data. However, Trump clarified he had not directly discussed the matter with Oracle’s Larry Ellison. Reports suggest ByteDance’s US investors, including Susquehanna International Group and Sequoia Capital, may also participate in the deal.

The situation remains fluid, with details of the potential agreement subject to change. While Trump has suggested US ownership in a joint venture, finalising a deal will require balancing Congressional scrutiny, national security considerations, and free speech concerns raised by TikTok’s advocates.

Frank McCourt considers TikTok bid with partners

Billionaire Frank McCourt has expressed interest in partnering with others to acquire TikTok’s US operations, provided he retains control. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, he revealed that private equity firms and family offices have already offered financial backing. He emphasised that the primary challenge lies in awaiting decisions from ByteDance or the Chinese government, rather than securing funding.

McCourt’s bid, tied to his Project Liberty initiative, aims to shift TikTok’s 170 million US users to his platform, promoting greater user control over data sharing. The billionaire remains firm on excluding TikTok’s recommendation algorithm from the deal. His advocacy group initially submitted a proposal earlier this year, focusing on building a digital infrastructure based in the US.

Interest in TikTok’s US operations has surged, drawing attention from notable investors, including Elon Musk and Larry Ellison. Some existing TikTok stakeholders have expressed interest in retaining partial stakes, potentially lowering the estimated $20 billion cost. The sale follows legislative pressure in the US to enforce divestiture or a ban.

McCourt reported bipartisan support from Congress for ensuring a qualified divestiture of TikTok’s US assets. Despite never using the app himself, he values its users, data, and brand, seeing the acquisition as an opportunity to reshape digital engagement.

GameOn founder faces fraud charges

The founder and former CEO of GameOn, an AI startup in San Francisco, has been indicted for orchestrating a six-year-long fraud scheme that allegedly defrauded investors and the company out of over $60 million. Alexander Beckman, 41, faces 23 criminal charges, while his wife, Valerie Lau Beckman, 38, who worked as a lawyer for the company, is charged with 16 counts, including obstruction. Both have pleaded not guilty. The US Securities and Exchange Commission has also filed civil charges against the couple.

Beckman is accused of deceiving investors by inflating the company’s financial status, including fabricating fake customer relationships, overstating revenue, and creating fraudulent bank statements and audit reports. He allegedly went as far as impersonating individuals to share false information. Meanwhile, Lau Beckman allegedly assisted her husband by providing authentic audit reports to help fabricate false documents and delete critical files after an investigation began.

The Beckmans are also accused of misusing investor funds for personal expenses, including purchasing a luxury home, vehicles, and covering costs for their wedding. The fraudulent activities reportedly continued up until Beckman’s resignation as CEO in July 2024. GameOn, which has since been rebranded as On Platform, eventually admitted to the financial discrepancies and laid off most of its employees.

The case underscores the need for integrity in the tech industry, particularly within startups, as federal prosecutors emphasise that fraud cannot fuel innovation.