Home | Newsletters & Shorts | DW Weekly #146 – 9 February 2024

DW Weekly #146 – 9 February 2024

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Dear readers,

The European Union Ambassadors achieved a historic milestone by approving the groundbreaking AI Act. This move signals a significant step forward in the regulation and governance of AI technologies within the EU. Meanwhile, China and Russia have forged an unexpected military AI alliance, prompting discussions on the geopolitical implications of such collaboration

Germany published its first-ever Strategy for International Digital Policy. This document is expected to set the tone for Germany’s approach to digital issues on the global stage.

In the ongoing battle against cyber threats, the Pall Mall Process has emerged to tackle the spread of spyware. The Netherlands and the USA brought to light China-backed hacking of their respective infrastructures. Multiple organisations and security leaders filed amicus briefs backing SolarWinds’ motion to dismiss the SEC case.

European Commissioner Thierry Breton called on Big Tech to play a role in safeguarding European elections from the threat of deepfakes. Simultaneously, Meta challenged the supervisory fee established under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA).

China launched a satellite for testing 6G technology, positioning itself at the forefront of the next generation of wireless communication. In the EU, the Gigabit Infrastructure Act will end intra-EU call charges by 2029, while concerns arose over the Houthi threat to critical submarine cables in the Red Sea.

The EU has adopted the ‘right to repair’ law, signalling a commitment to sustainability in consumer electronics. In Sudan, over 14 million people were affected by an internet shutdown, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of such actions. In Pakistan, the suspension of mobile services on election day sparked concerns about digital rights and access to information.

Andrijana and the Digital Watch team


Highlights from the week of 2-9 February 2024

abstract technology ai computing
EU Ambassadors approve landmark AI Act
On 2 February, the ambassadors of the European Union’s 27 nations unanimously adopted the world’s first comprehensive legislation for AI. Read more.
abstract technology ai computing
EU Ambassadors approve landmark AI Act
On 2 February, the ambassadors of the European Union’s 27 nations unanimously adopted the world’s first comprehensive legislation for AI. Read more.
american chinese and russian flag on a cracked wall politics conflict war concept
China and Russia forge military AI alliance
Delegates from two countries met in Beijing to discuss the use of AI in military contexts, covering doctrinal principles, initiatives, and collaboration within the UN Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS). Read more.
american chinese and russian flag on a cracked wall politics conflict war concept
China and Russia forge military AI alliance
Delegates from two countries met in Beijing to discuss the use of AI in military contexts, covering doctrinal principles, initiatives, and collaboration within the UN Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS). Read more.

german flag
Germany publishes first Strategy for International Digital Policy
The federal government will use the document as a framework that promotes more proactive policymaking on digital issues. Read more.
german flag
Germany publishes first Strategy for International Digital Policy
The federal government will use the document as a framework that promotes more proactive policymaking on digital issues. Read more.

a person sees a white inscription on a black smartphone display that holds in his hand spyware
The Pall Mall Process tackles spyware
Multiple countries and industry giants issued a call for heightened vigilance against the proliferation of spyware. Read more.
a person sees a white inscription on a black smartphone display that holds in his hand spyware
The Pall Mall Process tackles spyware
Multiple countries and industry giants issued a call for heightened vigilance against the proliferation of spyware. Read more.
male spy using computer display with greenscreen
Netherlands exposes Chinese cyberespionage in military network
China denied involvement, via its embassy in the Hague. Read more.
male spy using computer display with greenscreen
Netherlands exposes Chinese cyberespionage in military network
China denied involvement, via its embassy in the Hague. Read more.
china flag is depicted on the screen with the program code
Intelligence advisory: China-linked Volt Typhoon hackers infiltrate US critical infrastructure
There are indications that the threat actor maintained access in some victim IT environments for at least five years. Read more.
china flag is depicted on the screen with the program code
Intelligence advisory: China-linked Volt Typhoon hackers infiltrate US critical infrastructure
There are indications that the threat actor maintained access in some victim IT environments for at least five years. Read more.
Solar Winds
Amicus briefs back SolarWinds’ motion to dismiss SEC case
The briefs highlight the lawsuit could potentially cast a chilling effect on the industry. Read more.
Solar Winds
Amicus briefs back SolarWinds’ motion to dismiss SEC case
The briefs highlight the lawsuit could potentially cast a chilling effect on the industry. Read more.

Thierry Breton
Breton calls on Big Tech to help protect European elections from deepfakes
Breton said guidelines will be issued by March to help platforms counter electoral disinformation, including the establishment of a rapid reaction mechanism and simulation exercises. Read more.
Thierry Breton
Breton calls on Big Tech to help protect European elections from deepfakes
Breton said guidelines will be issued by March to help platforms counter electoral disinformation, including the establishment of a rapid reaction mechanism and simulation exercises. Read more.
wfchl9yftyq
Meta challenges supervisory fee established under the EU’s DSA
Meta has filed a complaint challenging the EU Digital Services Act’s supervisory fee provision, arguing the European Commission’s unfair calculation disproportionately affects profitable providers. Read more.
wfchl9yftyq
Meta challenges supervisory fee established under the EU’s DSA
Meta has filed a complaint challenging the EU Digital Services Act’s supervisory fee provision, arguing the European Commission’s unfair calculation disproportionately affects profitable providers. Read more.

space satellite planet earth
China launched satellite for testing 6G
China has successfully launched the world’s first 6G test satellite, which was developed by China Mobile and the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Innovation Academy. Read more.
space satellite planet earth
China launched satellite for testing 6G
China has successfully launched the world’s first 6G test satellite, which was developed by China Mobile and the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Innovation Academy. Read more.
eu flags in front of european commission
EU Gigabit Infrastructure Act: Intra-EU call charges to end in 2029, voluntary tacit approval principle upheld
The new rules aim to protect consumers from excessive prices for intra-EU communications Read more.
eu flags in front of european commission
EU Gigabit Infrastructure Act: Intra-EU call charges to end in 2029, voluntary tacit approval principle upheld
The new rules aim to protect consumers from excessive prices for intra-EU communications Read more.
yemen cables
Concerns raised over Houthi threat to critical submarine cables in Red Sea
Telecom firms linked to the UN-recognised Yemen government fear that Houthi rebels may sabotage submarine cables in the Red Sea, crucial for the functioning of the western internet and financial data transmission. Read more.
yemen cables
Concerns raised over Houthi threat to critical submarine cables in Red Sea
Telecom firms linked to the UN-recognised Yemen government fear that Houthi rebels may sabotage submarine cables in the Red Sea, crucial for the functioning of the western internet and financial data transmission. Read more.

nature meets tech bird s e waste nest
EU adopts the new ‘right to repair’ law
The European Commission said its original proposal would save some 18 million tonnes of CO2 over 15 years – while saving consumers €176 billion. Read more.
nature meets tech bird s e waste nest
EU adopts the new ‘right to repair’ law
The European Commission said its original proposal would save some 18 million tonnes of CO2 over 15 years – while saving consumers €176 billion. Read more.
flag of the sudan
Over 14 million Sudanese affected by the internet shutdown
The network blackout could also halt the functioning of e-wallets, which many people rely on given the wide-ranging cash shortage in the country. Read more.
flag of the sudan
Over 14 million Sudanese affected by the internet shutdown
The network blackout could also halt the functioning of e-wallets, which many people rely on given the wide-ranging cash shortage in the country. Read more.
flag of pakistan
Pakistan’s election day mobile service suspension sparks digital rights concerns
Pakistan’s suspension of nationwide mobile services on election day, citing security concerns after recent armed attacks, faces criticism from digital rights advocates. Read more.
flag of pakistan
Pakistan’s election day mobile service suspension sparks digital rights concerns
Pakistan’s suspension of nationwide mobile services on election day, citing security concerns after recent armed attacks, faces criticism from digital rights advocates. Read more.


#ReadingCorner
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In our February issue of the Digital Watch Monthly, we predict what will happen in digital policy in 2024, examine AI rhetoric at the WEF 2024 Annual Summit, analyse AI’s impact on trade secrets and trademarks, examine the ingredients of a cryptostom, and recap OEWG discussions.


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