Jurisdiction

European Parliament moves to force AI companies to pay news publishers

Lawmakers in the EU are moving closer to forcing technology companies to pay news publishers for the use of journalistic material in model training, according to a draft copyright report circulating in the European Parliament.

The text forms part of a broader effort to update copyright enforcement as automated content systems expand across media and information markets.

Compromise amendments also widen the scope beyond payment obligations, bringing AI-generated deepfakes and synthetic manipulation into sharper focus.

MEPs argue that existing legal tools fail to offer sufficient protection for publishers, journalists and citizens when automated systems reproduce or distort original reporting.

The report reflects growing concern that platform-driven content extraction undermines the sustainability of professional journalism. Lawmakers are increasingly framing compensation mechanisms as a corrective measure rather than as voluntary licensing or opaque commercial arrangements.

If adopted, the position of the Parliament would add further regulatory pressure on large technology firms already facing tighter scrutiny under the Digital Markets Act and related digital legislation, reinforcing Europe’s push to assert control over data use, content value and democratic safeguards.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

AI firms fall short of EU transparency rules on training data

Several major AI companies appear slow to meet EU transparency obligations, raising concerns over compliance with the AI Act.

Under the regulation, developers of large foundation models must disclose information about training data sources, allowing creators to assess whether copyrighted material has been used.

Such disclosures are intended to offer a minimal baseline of transparency, covering the use of public datasets, licensed material and scraped websites.

While open-source providers such as Hugging Face have already published detailed templates, leading commercial developers have so far provided only broad descriptions of data usage instead of specific sources.

Formal enforcement of the rules will not begin until later in the year, extending a grace period for companies that released models after August 2025.

The European Commission has indicated willingness to impose fines if necessary, although it continues to assess whether newer models fall under immediate obligations.

The issue is likely to become politically sensitive, as stricter enforcement could affect US-based technology firms and intensify transatlantic tensions over digital regulation.

Transparency under the AI Act may therefore test both regulatory resolve and international relations as implementation moves closer.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Labour MPs press Starmer to consider UK under-16s social media ban

Pressure is growing on Keir Starmer after more than 60 Labour MPs called for a UK ban on social media use for under-16s, arguing that children’s online safety requires firmer regulation instead of voluntary platform measures.

The signatories span Labour’s internal divides, including senior parliamentarians and former frontbenchers, signalling broad concern over the impact of social media on young people’s well-being, education and mental health.

Supporters of the proposal point to Australia’s recently implemented ban as a model worth following, suggesting that early evidence could guide UK policy development rather than prolonged inaction.

Starmer is understood to favour a cautious approach, preferring to assess the Australian experience before endorsing legislation, as peers prepare to vote on related measures in the coming days.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

xAI faces stricter pollution rules for Memphis data centre

US regulators have closed a loophole that allowed Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI, to operate gas-burning turbines at its Memphis data centre without full air pollution permits. The move follows concerns over emissions and local health impacts.

The US Environmental Protection Agency clarified that mobile gas turbines cannot be classified as ‘non-road engines’ to avoid Clean Air Act requirements. Companies must now obtain permits if their combined emissions exceed regulatory thresholds.

Local authorities had previously allowed the turbines to operate without public consultation or environmental review. The updated federal rule may slow xAI’s expansion plans in the Memphis area.

The Colossus data centre, opened in 2024, supports training and inference for Grok AI models and other services linked to Musk’s X platform. NVIDIA hardware is used extensively at the site.

Residents and environmental groups have raised concerns about air quality, particularly in nearby communities. Legal advocates say xAI’s future operations will be closely monitored for regulatory compliance.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

New Steam rules redefine when AI use must be disclosed

Steam has clarified its position on AI in video games by updating the disclosure rules developers must follow when publishing titles on the platform.

The revision arrives after months of industry debate over whether generative AI usage should be publicly declared, particularly as storefronts face growing pressure to balance transparency with practical development realities.

Under the updated policy, disclosure requirements apply exclusively to AI-generated material consumed by players.

Artwork, audio, localisation, narrative elements, marketing assets and content visible on a game’s Steam page fall within scope, while AI tools used purely during development remain outside Valve’s interest.

Developers using code assistants, concept ideation tools or AI-enabled software features without integrating outputs into the final player experience no longer need to declare such usage.

Valve’s clarification signals a more nuanced stance than earlier guidance introduced in 2024, which drew criticism for failing to reflect how AI tools are used in modern workflows.

By formally separating player-facing content from internal efficiency tools, Steam acknowledges common industry practices without expanding disclosure obligations unnecessarily.

The update offers reassurance to developers concerned about stigma surrounding AI labels while preserving transparency for consumers.

Although enforcement may remain largely procedural, the written clarification establishes clearer expectations and reduces uncertainty as generative technologies continue to shape game production.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

New ETSI standard defines cybersecurity rules for AI systems

ETSI has released ETSI EN 304 223, a new European Standard establishing baseline cybersecurity requirements for AI systems.

Approved by national standards bodies, the framework becomes the first globally applicable EN focused specifically on securing AI, extending its relevance beyond European markets.

The standard recognises that AI introduces security risks not found in traditional software. Threats such as data poisoning, indirect prompt injection and vulnerabilities linked to complex data management demand tailored defences instead of conventional approaches alone.

ETSI EN 304 223 combines established cybersecurity practices with targeted measures designed for the distinctive characteristics of AI models and systems.

Adopting a full lifecycle perspective, the ETSI framework defines thirteen principles across secure design, development, deployment, maintenance and end of life.

Alignment with internationally recognised AI lifecycle models supports interoperability and consistent implementation across existing regulatory and technical ecosystems.

ETSI EN 304 223 is intended for organisations across the AI supply chain, including vendors, integrators and operators, and covers systems based on deep neural networks, including generative AI.

Further guidance is expected through ETSI TR 104 159, which will focus on generative AI risks such as deepfakes, misinformation, confidentiality concerns and intellectual property protection.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

How autonomous vehicles shape physical AI trust

Physical AI is increasingly embedded in public and domestic environments, from self-driving vehicles to delivery robots and household automation. As intelligent machines begin to operate alongside people in shared spaces, trust emerges as a central condition for adoption instead of technological novelty alone.

Autonomous vehicles provide the clearest illustration of how trust must be earned through openness, accountability, and continuous engagement.

Self-driving systems address long-standing challenges such as road safety, congestion, and unequal access to mobility by relying on constant perception, rule-based behaviour, and fatigue-free operation.

Trials and early deployments suggest meaningful improvements in safety and efficiency, yet public confidence remains uneven. Social acceptance depends not only on performance outcomes but also on whether communities understand how systems behave and why specific decisions occur.

Dialogue plays a critical role at two levels. Ongoing communication among policymakers, developers, emergency services, and civil society helps align technical deployment with social priorities such as safety, accessibility, and environmental impact.

At the same time, advances in explainable AI allow machines to communicate intent and reasoning directly to users, replacing opacity with interpretability and predictability.

The experience of autonomous vehicles suggests a broader framework for physical AI governance centred on demonstrable public value, transparent performance data, and systems capable of explaining behaviour in human terms.

As physical AI expands into infrastructure, healthcare, and domestic care, trust will depend on sustained dialogue and responsible design rather than the speed of deployment alone.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

TikTok faces perilous legal challenge over child safety concerns

British parents suing TikTok over the deaths of their children have called for greater accountability from the platform, as the case begins hearings in the United States. One of the claimants said social media companies must be held accountable for the content shown to young users.

Ellen Roome, whose son died in 2022, said the lawsuit is about understanding what children were exposed to online.

The legal filing claims the deaths were a foreseeable result of TikTok’s design choices, which allegedly prioritised engagement over safety. TikTok has said it prohibits content that encourages dangerous behaviour.

Roome is also campaigning for proposed legislation that would allow parents to access their children’s social media accounts after a death. She said the aim is to gain clarity and prevent similar tragedies.

TikTok said it removes most harmful content before it is reported and expressed sympathy for the families. The company is seeking to dismiss the case, arguing that the US court lacks jurisdiction.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Matthew McConaughey moves decisively to protect AI likeness rights

Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey has trademarked his image and voice to protect them from unauthorised use by AI platforms. His lawyers say the move is intended to safeguard consent and attribution in an evolving digital environment.

Several clips, including his well-known catchphrase from Dazed and Confused, have been registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Legal experts say it is the first time an actor has used trademark law to address potential AI misuse of their likeness.

McConaughey’s legal team said there is no evidence of his image being manipulated by AI so far. The trademarks are intended to act as a preventative measure against unauthorised copying or commercial use.

The actor said he wants to ensure any future use of his voice or appearance is approved. Lawyers also said the approach could help capture value created through licensed AI applications.

Concerns over deepfakes and synthetic media are growing across the entertainment industry. Other celebrities have faced unauthorised AI-generated content, prompting calls for stronger legal protections.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Microsoft obtains UK and US court orders to disable cybercrime infrastructure

Microsoft has obtained court orders in the United Kingdom and the United States to disrupt the cybercrime-as-a-service platform RedVDS, marking the first time its Digital Crimes Unit (DCU) has pursued a major civil action outside the US.

According to Microsoft, the legal action targeted infrastructure supporting RedVDS, a service that provided virtualised computing resources used in fraud and other cyber-enabled criminal activity. The company sought relief in the UK courts because elements of the platform’s infrastructure were hosted by a UK-based provider, and a significant number of affected victims were located in the UK.

It is reported that the action was conducted with support from Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre (EC3), as well as German authorities, including the Central Office for Combating Internet Crime (ZIT) at the Frankfurt-am-Main Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Criminal Police Office of the state of Brandenburg.

RedVDS operated on a subscription basis, with access reportedly available for approximately $24 per month. The service provided customers with short-lived virtual machines, which could be used to support activities such as phishing campaigns, hosting malicious infrastructure, and facilitating online fraud.

Microsoft states that RedVDS infrastructure has been used in a range of cyber-enabled criminal activities since September 2025, including business email compromise (BEC). In BEC cases, attackers impersonate trusted individuals or organisations to induce victims to transfer funds to accounts under the attackers’ control.

According to Microsoft’s assessment, users of the service targeted organisations across multiple sectors and regions. The real estate sector was among those affected, with estate agents, escrow agents, and title companies reportedly targeted in Australia and Canada. Microsoft estimates that several thousand organisations in that sector experienced some level of impact.

The company also noted that RedVDS users combined the service with other tools, including generative AI technologies, to scale operations, identify potential targets, and generate fraudulent content.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!