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Spain reports higher removal of online hate speech content

Spain’s Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia identified 31,003 pieces of hate speech and discriminatory content on social media in May 2026, according to its monthly monitoring report.

The Observatory, known as OBERAXE, said digital platforms removed 65% of notified content, up from 56% in April. TikTok, X and Instagram recorded the highest removal rates, while the Trusted Flagger route continued to perform better than ordinary user reporting.

Trusted Flagger notifications accounted for 53% of removed content, compared with 48% in April. Content reported through ordinary user channels reached a removal rate of 12%, up from 8% the previous month.

The report found that 73% of detected content presented targeted groups as a threat, while dehumanising and severely degrading messages increased sharply compared with April. It also recorded frequent use of aggressive language and growing reliance on images, videos, memes and coded expressions.

People from North Africa remained the main target of online hate speech, followed by African and Afro-descendant people and Roma people. Narratives linked to citizen insecurity accounted for the largest share of detected content, followed by content related to social benefits and access to public resources.

OBERAXE said continued cooperation with digital platforms is essential to improve detection, removal procedures and policies aimed at combating discrimination online.

Why does it matter?

The report shows how hate speech monitoring is becoming part of platform governance and anti-discrimination policy. Spain’s data suggest that trusted reporting channels can improve removal rates, but the scale and persistence of hostile narratives show the limits of reactive moderation. The findings also raise wider questions about transparency, platform accountability and how governments can address online hate while protecting freedom of expression.

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UK licenses NCSC-developed SilentGlass cyber security device for global use

The UK government has licensed SilentGlass, a cybersecurity device developed by the National Cyber Security Centre, for global manufacture and sale.

SilentGlass is a plug-and-play hardware device designed to protect connected devices from attacks delivered through digital display connections. It sits between a laptop and a screen, monitoring HDMI and DisplayPort connections and blocking unexpected or malicious activity.

The technology was developed by the NCSC to address risks linked to modern smart monitors and shared display environments. It has already been deployed across government estates and is now being made available more widely.

The Government Office for Technology Transfer supported the commercialisation process, including intellectual property strategy, market assessment and licensing. Following a competitive process, a global licence was awarded to the UK-based cybersecurity company Goldilock Labs.

The government said the project shows how public-sector intellectual property can be commercialised to support wider cyber resilience and UK cybersecurity innovation.

The NCSC said the agreement could serve as a model for bringing more government-developed technologies to market.

Why does it matter?

SilentGlass highlights a less visible part of cyber risk: physical and hardware-layer connections between workplace devices. As smart displays, shared workspaces, and hybrid working environments become more common, video and peripheral links can become attack surfaces. The case also shows how governments can move cybersecurity capabilities developed for public-sector use into the commercial market through licensing and technology transfer.

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NCSC urges action after Fortinet firewall and VPN credential leak

The UK National Cyber Security Centre has urged organisations using Fortinet services to investigate whether they have been affected by a global campaign targeting firewalls and VPN gateways.

The NCSC said Fortinet firewalls and VPN gateways have been targeted globally, with some indications of potential impact in the UK. A threat actor has leaked a database of credentials following brute-force, dictionary and credential stuffing attempts against internet-facing FortiGate and VPN portals.

UK organisations using Fortinet edge devices with SSL VPN enabled have been advised to check whether their domains may be affected and to investigate potentially malicious activity on their devices.

The NCSC said organisations should review logs for indicators of compromise, including unauthorised account creation and unexpected activity. Where evidence of compromise exists, affected devices should be isolated from the internet and internal networks.

The agency also warned that changing credentials alone may not be sufficient if attackers have gained persistence on a device. It recommends factory resetting compromised devices after collecting logs, configurations and other investigation artefacts.

Organisations are also advised to investigate other edge devices that share credentials with compromised systems and to monitor reachable devices for signs of onward compromise.

The NCSC said organisations should harden recommissioned systems by ensuring management interfaces are not exposed to the internet, updating to the latest version, removing unsupported systems, changing default or reused administrator passwords and enforcing multi-factor authentication on VPN and device management logins.

Why does it matter?

The alert highlights how stolen or reused credentials can compromise perimeter security infrastructure. Firewalls and VPN gateways are high-value targets because a successful compromise can give attackers a route into internal networks. The NCSC guidance also shows why basic cyber hygiene matters: exposed management interfaces, reused passwords, unsupported systems and missing multi-factor authentication can turn credential leaks into wider network compromise.

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Finland links communications networks to security and digital growth

Finland’s Ministry of Transport and Communications has completed the first phase of the TUUTTI project, concluding that secure and reliable communications networks are essential to both national security and digital economic growth.

The report, published on 17 June 2026, provides an overview of Finland’s communications networks, markets and services, and identifies long-term decision points affecting network investment, security and future development.

The ministry said communications infrastructure underpins the functioning of society, security of supply, business investment and the growth of the data economy. It also said security and growth objectives can no longer be treated separately, because the same networks support both public resilience and digital competitiveness.

The report highlights resilience as a prerequisite for growth, warning that communications networks are increasingly linked to energy systems, cloud and computing services, supply chains, suppliers and skills. These dependencies make long-term planning and continuous monitoring essential.

The report also frames digital and technological sovereignty as a question of managing critical dependencies, rather than pursuing complete self-sufficiency. Finland aims to reduce lock-in risks, keep systems interoperable and maintain alternatives where security or economic impacts are greatest.

Future work will focus on preparedness, management of critical dependencies, joint development of networks, data and computing, investment predictability, skills and implementation capacity. Short-term measures identified in the report will be taken forward in autumn 2026.

Why does it matter?

Finland’s assessment shows how communications networks are becoming part of wider national security and economic strategy. Connectivity policy is no longer only about broadband access or market competition; it now includes resilience, supply chains, cloud and computing dependencies, interoperability and technological sovereignty. The report may also matter beyond Finland because its findings could feed into the EU advocacy, legislative preparation and standardisation work.

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India imposes temporary Telegram ban over exam security concerns

India has restricted access to Telegram until 22 June 2026 ahead of the NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination, citing concerns over exam security and alleged paper leak networks. The decision followed recommendations from the National Testing Agency (NTA), which sought to prevent the misuse of messaging platforms during a high-stakes national examination.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) acted under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, citing risks associated with organised cheating networks. Authorities also ordered Telegram to temporarily disable editing of the previously posted messages until 30 June 2026, arguing that the feature had been used to create misleading evidence of alleged paper leaks.

Enforcement efforts follow ongoing investigations coordinated by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre and state police units, which have previously dismantled multiple fraudulent channels and bot networks. Officials said groups operating under names suggesting exam leaks had demanded significant sums from students and families in exchange for false information.

Why does it matter?

The case illustrates how digital platforms have become a central battleground in efforts to protect the integrity of high-stakes examinations. Messaging applications can facilitate the rapid spread of misinformation, fraudulent schemes and alleged leak networks, prompting authorities to consider increasingly interventionist measures during sensitive national processes.

The decision also raises broader questions about digital governance and platform regulation. By restricting access to a major communication platform and temporarily limiting specific platform features, Indian authorities are signalling a willingness to use digital policy tools to address risks associated with public trust and institutional integrity. The move reflects a wider global debate over the balance between security objectives, platform accountability and access to digital communications.

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European consortium launches SHIELD-6G project to develop cybersecurity capabilities for future 6G networks

A consortium of 19 organisations from across Europe has launched SHIELD-6G (Scalable, Hybrid, and Intelligent End-to-End Defense for 6G Networks), a research and innovation project aimed at developing cybersecurity technologies for future 6G communications networks.

The project is coordinated by University College Dublin and brings together universities, research institutes, telecommunications operators, technology companies, and small and medium-sized enterprises from 10 European countries, including Ireland, Spain, Finland, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Greece, Latvia, Estonia, and Türkiye.

According to the consortium, SHIELD-6G will focus on developing a cyber threat intelligence platform designed for future 6G environments. The platform is intended to support the detection, analysis, and response to cyber threats, including previously unknown vulnerabilities and attacks.

The project will explore several technology areas, including AI-based threat detection and response, federated learning for privacy-preserving data processing, digital twin technologies for security testing, and explainable AI approaches intended to improve transparency in cybersecurity operations.

Researchers will evaluate the technologies through use cases in healthcare, smart manufacturing, and maritime communications. These sectors are expected to rely increasingly on advanced connectivity and automated digital systems, creating new cybersecurity requirements.

The initiative is funded through the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme under the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU), which supports research and innovation activities related to future communication networks and services.

According to the project description, SHIELD-6G is expected to contribute to the development of automated network security capabilities, real-time threat detection and mitigation mechanisms, and approaches to compliance and auditing. The consortium also plans to contribute to ongoing discussions on 6G standardisation.

Commenting on the launch, Madhusanka Liyanage of University College Dublin said future communication networks will require security and resilience measures capable of supporting increasingly critical digital services. He said the project aims to develop cybersecurity capabilities that can help protect those services while supporting the broader development of future connectivity infrastructure.

SHIELD-6G is one of several projects funded under the SNS JU programme that aim to advance research on 6G technologies and related cybersecurity challenges as Europe prepares for the next generation of digital communications networks.

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European Parliament backs AI Act simplification and nudifier app ban

The European Parliament has approved amendments to parts of the EU AI Act as part of the digital omnibus package, postponing some compliance deadlines while adding a ban on AI systems used to create non-consensual sexually explicit content.

MEPs backed the changes with 423 votes in favour, 57 against and 174 abstentions. The measures are intended to simplify compliance for companies while preserving the AI Act’s risk-based structure and core safeguards.

Under the approved text, obligations for stand-alone high-risk AI systems would apply from 2 December 2027. Obligations for AI systems embedded as safety components in products covered by the EU sectoral safety and market surveillance legislation would apply from 2 August 2028.

The text also delays the obligation to watermark AI-generated content until 2 December 2026. By then, AI-generated content will need to be labelled in a machine-readable way to support transparency.

Parliament also approved a ban on AI systems that generate child sexual abuse material or create images, videos or audio depicting an identifiable person’s intimate parts or sexually explicit activities without consent. Providers would not be allowed to place such systems on the EU market unless they include adequate technical safeguards to prevent the creation of such material. The ban would also apply to deployers using systems for that purpose.

Other changes include removing overlapping requirements for AI used in machinery products, clarifying the definition of ‘safety component’, extending some SME exemptions to small mid-cap enterprises, and streamlining enforcement of certain general-purpose AI systems through the EU AI Office.

The legislation still needs formal adoption by the Council before it can enter into force.

Why does it matter?

The vote shows the EU trying to adjust the implementation AI the AI Act without reopening the law’s overall risk-based architecture. Delaying some deadlines could reduce legal uncertainty for businesses and give standards, guidance, and support measures more time to mature. At the same time, the proposed ban on nudification tools and AI-assisted child sexual abuse material addresses a fast-growing harm linked to generative AI, especially image and video manipulation targeting women and minors.

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Debate grows over UK’s proposed social media ban for under-16s

Amnesty International has challenged the British government’s decision to introduce a social media ban for under-16s, arguing that it targets children rather than the design choices made by digital platforms.

Responding to the announcement, Amnesty International UK chief executive Kerry Moscogiuri said the government had correctly identified the risks facing young people online but had chosen the wrong solution.

Amnesty argued that social media companies have developed products and business models that prioritise engagement and profit over children’s well-being, privacy and rights.

The organisation argues that social media platforms should be redesigned and regulated more effectively rather than restricting access for young users. The organisation argued that social media remains an important space where children and teenagers learn, communicate with friends, access support networks and participate in public life.

The human rights group is calling for stronger platform regulation, including restrictions on invasive profiling, hyper-personalised recommendation systems, autoplay features and infinite scrolling.

Amnesty also called for stronger protections for children’s privacy and personal data, arguing that responsibility for online safety should rest primarily with technology companies rather than young users.

Ofcom supports further assessment of child online safety measures

In a letter to Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, Ofcom chief executive Dame Melanie Dawes said the regulator had begun examining age-assurance options and would provide an assessment by the end of October 2026 to support parliamentary consideration of the proposals.

The regulator also pledged to continue prioritising enforcement of existing child protection measures under the Online Safety Act and confirmed it will publish reports on enforcement outcomes and evaluate the impact of the proposed ban within a year of implementation.

Why does it matter?

The debate highlights two competing approaches to child online safety. One approach focuses on restricting access to social media for younger users, while the other seeks to address the design features and business models that critics argue contribute to online harms.

The discussion also reflects broader questions about platform accountability, children’s rights and digital governance. As governments around the world consider age restrictions, age verification requirements and online safety measures, policymakers continue to grapple with how to balance child protection, privacy, freedom of expression and access to digital services.

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EU extends Cybersecurity Reserve support to Ukraine

Ukraine can now activate emergency EU cyber support during significant or large-scale cybersecurity incidents after the Council of the European Union approved its inclusion in the EU Cybersecurity Reserve.

The Reserve, managed by the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity, provides incident response services from trusted private-sector providers to help contain and mitigate major cyber incidents.

The European Commission said the decision reflects closer EU-Ukraine cooperation and forms part of wider efforts to strengthen preparedness, rapid response and shared expertise against evolving cyber threats.

The move also aligns with the EU’s strategic digital partnership agenda and follows Moldova’s inclusion in the Cybersecurity Reserve in 2024 under the Cyber Solidarity Act.

European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen said Ukraine’s inclusion strengthens collective cyber defences and reaffirms European solidarity at a time of persistent cyber threats.

Why does it matter?

Ukraine’s inclusion in the Cybersecurity Reserve extends EU cyber crisis support to a country facing sustained cyber pressure linked to geopolitical conflict. The decision shows how the EU is using the Cyber Solidarity Act and related mechanisms not only for internal resilience, but also for strategic partnerships. It also strengthens the role of ENISA-coordinated incident response services and trusted private providers in Europe’s wider cyber crisis management framework.

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Europol warns of rising online exploitation of minors

Europol has warned that criminal networks are increasingly using digital platforms to target, manipulate and recruit minors into criminal activity.

The agency said offenders exploit online environments, including dark web portals, social media networks, games and e-commerce platforms, which can offer anonymity, reach and operational efficiency. Europol and the EU member states have observed growing use of these digital tools to target and recruit minors.

According to Europol, young people are being drawn into offences including cyberattacks, drug distribution, online fraud and money laundering. In some cases, minors are also exposed to extremist ideologies, manipulation and pressure from online communities.

Europol said digital tools have made recruitment easier to scale and harder to detect. Minors may initially be approached as victims, but can later be pressured into carrying out further offences, increasing both the harm to the child and the reach of criminal networks.

The agency said it is working with the EU member states and international partners to strengthen intelligence sharing, operational support and the disruption of criminal groups. Prevention efforts also include awareness-raising and guidance for parents, educators and communities to help identify risks and support vulnerable minors.

Why does it matter?

The warning shows how child safety and organised crime are increasingly overlapping in online spaces. Social media, gaming environments, e-commerce platforms and dark web channels can be used not only to exploit minors, but also to recruit them into cybercrime, fraud, drug distribution or extremist networks. That creates a governance challenge for law enforcement, schools, parents and platforms, especially where manipulation, anonymity and cross-border digital services make early detection difficult.

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