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China blamed of cyberattack on Czech Republic government networks

Prague has formally accused China of launching a malicious cyber campaign against its Foreign Affairs ministry’s unclassified communications network. Beijing’s embassy in Prague dismissed the allegations and urged an end to what it called ‘microphone diplomacy.’

Investigators trace the operation back to the Czech Republic’s 2022 EU presidency, attributing it to APT31, a group allegedly operating under China’s Ministry of State Security. After detecting the intrusion, officials rolled out a more secure communications platform in 2024.

Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský summoned China’s ambassador to stress the severity of the breach, which targeted emails and other documents related to Asia. The government condemned the incident as an attack on its critical infrastructure.

International partners have rallied behind Prague. NATO and the EU have condemned the attack and the US Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy has called on China to meet its international cybersecurity commitments.

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UK and EU strengthen maritime and cyber security

The UK and the EU have agreed to step up cooperation on cybersecurity as part of a wider defence and security pact.

The new framework, signed on 19 May, marks a major shift towards joint efforts in countering digital threats and hybrid warfare.

Instead of managing these challenges separately, the UK and EU will hold structured dialogues to address cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and other forms of foreign interference.

The deal outlines regular exchanges between national security officials, supported by thematic discussions focused on crisis response, infrastructure protection, and online misinformation.

A key aim is to boost resilience against hostile cyber activity by working together on detection, defence, and prevention strategies. The agreement encourages joint efforts to safeguard communication networks, protect energy grids, and strengthen public awareness against information manipulation.

The cooperation is expected to extend into coordinated drills and real-time threat sharing.

While the UK remains outside the EU’s political structure, the agreement positions it as a close cyber security partner.

Future plans include exploring deeper collaboration through EU defence projects and potentially forming a formal link with the European Defence Agency, ensuring that both sides can respond more effectively to emerging digital threats.

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PREVAIL to offer advanced Edge AI chip design tools across Europe

The European Union’s PREVAIL project is preparing to open its Edge AI services to external users in June 2025.

Coordinated by Europe’s top research and technology organisations, the initiative offers a shared, multi-hub infrastructure designed to speed up the development and commercialisation of next-generation Edge AI technologies.

Through its platform, European designers will gain access to advanced chip prototyping capabilities and full design support using standard commercial tools.

PREVAIL combines commercial foundry processes with advanced technology modules developed in partner clean rooms. These include embedded non-volatile memories (eNVM), silicon photonics, and 3D integration technologies such as silicon interposers and packaging innovations.

Initial demonstrators, already in development with industry partners, will serve as test cases to ensure compatibility with a broad range of applications and future scalability.

From July 2025, a €20 million EU-funded call under the ‘Low Power Edge AI’ initiative will help selected customers co-finance their access to the platform. Whether supported by EU funds or independently financed, users will be able to design chips using one of four shared platforms.

The consortium has also set up a user interface team to manage technical support and provide access to Process Design Kits and Design Rule Manuals.

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The EU probes porn sites over DSA violations

The European Commission has launched a formal investigation into four major pornographic websites—Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX, and XVideos—over concerns they may be violating the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). The probe centres on whether these platforms provide adequate protection for minors, notably regarding age verification.

According to the Commission, all four currently use simple click-through age checks, which are suspected of failing to meet DSA requirements. Authorities primarily focus on assessing whether the platforms have conducted proper risk assessments and implemented safeguards to protect children’s mental and physical health.

The European Commission emphasised that the investigation is a priority and will include collaboration with the EU member states to monitor smaller adult sites that fall under the 45-million-user threshold. In its statement, the Commission reiterated plans to roll out a standardised EU-wide age verification system by the end of next year.

While Pornhub, XVideos, and Stripchat were previously designated as Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs), the Commission announced on Tuesday that Stripchat will no longer hold that status moving forward.

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EMSA given broader powers for digital maritime threats

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) is set to take on an expanded role in maritime security, following a provisional agreement between the European Parliament and the Council.

Instead of focusing solely on traditional safety tasks, EMSA will now help tackle modern challenges, including cyber attacks and hybrid threats that increasingly target critical maritime infrastructure across Europe.

The updated mandate enables EMSA to support EU member states and the European Commission with technical, operational and scientific assistance in areas such as cybersecurity, pollution response, maritime surveillance and decarbonisation.

Rather than remaining confined to its original scope, the agency may also adopt new responsibilities as risks evolve, provided such tasks are requested by the Commission or individual countries.

The move forms part of a broader EU legislative package aimed at reinforcing maritime safety rules, improving environmental protections and updating inspection procedures.

The reforms ensure EMSA is equipped with adequate human and financial resources to handle its wider remit and contribute to strategic resilience in an increasingly digital and geopolitically unstable world.

Created in 2002 and based in Lisbon, EMSA plays a central role in safeguarding maritime transport, which remains vital for Europe’s economy and trade.

With more than 2,000 marine incidents reported annually, the agency’s modernised mandate is expected to strengthen the EU’s ability to prevent disruptions at sea and support its broader green and security goals.

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EU extends cybersecurity deadline for wireless devices

The European Commission has extended the deadline for mandatory cybersecurity requirements targeting wireless and connected devices sold within the EU.

Under the Delegated Act (2022/30) of the Radio Equipment Directive, manufacturers must embed robust security features to guard against risks such as unauthorised access and data breaches. The rules will now take effect from 1 August 2025.

A broad range of products will be affected, including mobile phones, tablets, cameras, and telecommunications devices using radio signals.

Internet of Things (IoT) items—such as baby monitors, smartwatches, fitness trackers, and connected industrial machinery—also fall within the scope. Any device capable of transmitting or receiving data wirelessly may be subject to the new requirements.

The deadline extension aims to give manufacturers additional time to adopt harmonised standards and integrate cybersecurity into product design. The Commission emphasised the importance of early action to avoid compliance issues when the rules become binding.

Despite the grace period, businesses are urged to act now by reviewing development cycles and addressing potential vulnerabilities well ahead of the implementation date.

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Europe cracks down on Shein for misleading consumers

The European Commission and national consumer protection authorities have determined that online fashion giant Shein is in breach of six EU consumer laws, giving the company one month to bring its practices into compliance.

Announced today, the findings from the European Commission mark the latest in a string of regulatory actions against e-commerce platforms based in China, as the EU intensifies efforts to hold international marketplaces accountable for deceptive practices and unsafe goods.

Michael McGrath, the commissioner for consumer protection, stated: ‘We will not shy away from holding e-commerce platforms to account, regardless of where they are based.’

The investigation, launched in February, identified violations such as fake discounts, high-pressure sales tactics, misleading product labelling, and hidden customer service contact details.

Authorities are also examining whether Shein’s product ranking and review systems mislead consumers, as well as the platform’s contractual terms with third-party sellers.

She i n responded by saying it is working ‘constructively’ with authorities and remains committed to addressing concerns raised during the investigation.

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EU workshop gathers support and scrutiny for the DSA

A packed conference centre in Brussels hosted over 200 stakeholders on 7 May 2025, as the European Commission held a workshop on the EU’s landmark Digital Services Act (DSA).

The pioneering law aims to protect users online by obliging tech giants—labelled as Very Large Online Platforms and Search Engines (VLOPSEs)—to assess and mitigate systemic risks their services might pose to society at least once a year, instead of waiting for harmful outcomes to trigger regulation.

Rather than focusing on banning content, the DSA encourages platforms to improve internal safeguards and transparency. It was designed to protect democratic discourse from evolving online threats like disinformation without compromising freedom of expression.

Countries like Ukraine and Moldova are working closely with the EU to align with the DSA, balancing protection against foreign aggression with open political dialogue. Others, such as Georgia, raise concerns that similar laws could be twisted into tools of censorship instead of accountability.

The Commission’s workshop highlighted gaps in platform transparency, as civil society groups demanded access to underlying data to verify tech firms’ risk assessments. Some are even considering stepping away from such engagements until concrete evidence is provided.

Meanwhile, tech companies have already rolled back a third of their disinformation-related commitments under the DSA Code of Conduct, sparking further concern amid Europe’s shifting political climate.

Despite these challenges, the DSA has inspired interest well beyond EU borders. Civil society groups and international institutions like UNESCO are now pushing for similar frameworks globally, viewing the DSA’s risk-based, co-regulatory approach as a better alternative to restrictive speech laws.

The digital rights community sees this as a crucial opportunity to build a more accountable and resilient information space.

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DW Weekly #213 – The UAE’s AI campus | Cybersecurity’s turbulent sea | The race for space, quantum, and supercomputing

16 – 23 May 2025

Animal, Camel, Mammal, Adult, Female, Person, Woman, Horse, Bird

Dear readers,

The UAE is going to have ‘the world’s largest AI campus outside the USA‘

In the past week, we have seen the United Arab Emirates surging to the forefront of the global AI and infrastructure race, with announcements such as the world’s largest AI campus outside the USA, a 10-square-mile, 5-gigawatt facility in Abu Dhabi led by G42, backed by a $200 billion deal sealed during President Trump’s Gulf tour as part of the US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership.

Further amplifying this momentum, G42 and OpenAI are collaborating on the Stargate Initiative, a massive AI data facility. At the same time, du and Microsoft have launched a $544 million AI data centre to boost regional computing power. Meanwhile, the UAE’s EDGE Group unveiled an AI accelerator to advance defence and technology innovation.

Additionally, the UAE is opening to cryptocurrency, as Ripple has introduced cross-border blockchain payments in the United Arab Emirates, aiming to boost cryptocurrency adoption in the region.

Navigating cybersecurity’s turbulent sea

The cybersecurity landscape resembled a turbulent sea in the week behind us, with threats and policy shifts challenging AI governance and digital policy worldwide. Japan has taken a bold step forward, enacting its Active Cyberdefence Law to allow preemptive offensive cyber operations, marking a historic shift from its pacifist stance to counter escalating threats from state-sponsored actors.

Across the Pacific, US lawmakers are grappling with a reported one-day pause in offensive cyber operations against Russia, raising questions about strategic shifts in digital warfare amid geopolitical tensions.

In Europe, the Netherlands has expanded its espionage laws to include cyber activities, imposing up to 12 years in prison for digital spying, reflecting a broader push to secure critical infrastructure.

Adding to the turmoil, Coinbase, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, suffered a cyberattack costing up to $400 million, underscoring vulnerabilities in the private sector’s digital defences.

Electrical Device, Solar Panels, Astronomy, Outer Space, Satellite

The race for space, quantum, and supercomputing

The global race for dominance in space, quantum, and supercomputing is accelerating. China is leading the charge with the launch of its first AI-powered satellites, forming an orbital supercomputer network designed to process vast datasets in space, bolstering its strategic edge in AI-driven defence and communications.

Meanwhile, Taiwan is intensifying its terrestrial efforts, unveiling a new NVIDIA-powered supercomputer to enhance its AI capabilities, confirming itself as a key player in the global tech supply chain amid rising geopolitical tensions.

On the quantum frontier, Google’s breakthrough with a new quantum chip, capable of simulating complex systems and hinting at multiverse-like computational possibilities, is a new transformative potential of quantum computing for AI innovation.

Digital policy highlights

The European Commission is taking significant steps to create a safer online environment for children by introducing draft guidelines under the Digital Services Act.

President Donald Trump is expected to sign the Take It Down Act, which will criminalise the sharing of explicit images, whether real or AI-generated, without consent.

The UK government has suffered a second defeat in the House of Lords over its Data (Use and Access) Bill, as peers once again backed a copyright-focused amendment to protect artists from AI content scraping.

Russia’s Ministry of Justice is working on legislation that would classify crypto assets as property, enabling their confiscation during criminal investigations.

Event reminder:

If you are based in Geneva, today, 23 May, is the last day to register for the luncheon debate with Doreen Bogdan Martin, Secretary-General of ITU hosted by FSPI, which will be held on Monday, 26 May. Overlapping with the luncheon is ILO’s webinar officially launching a new guide on the digitalisation and blending of training programmes. Monday also marks the start of the next TSAG meeting in Geneva, which will wrap up on Friday, 30 May.

Nestled in the middle of the week, on Wednesday, 28 May, is our briefing for diplomats on the UN80 Initiative, AI, and digital governance (for inquiries, contact us at geneva@diplomacy.edu.) Later in the day, UNHCR, UNDP, IOM, UNICC and the Permanent Mission of Switzerland will officially launch the Digital Hub of Treasury Solutions (DHoTS) during an event where participants will discuss how digital innovation is reshaping the future of aid delivery.

For the main updates, reflections and events, consult the RADAR, the READING CORNER and the UPCOMING EVENTS section below.

DW Team

RADAR

Highlights from the week of 16 – 23 May 2025

bitcoin coin closeup black background background with cryptocurrency

Bitcoin hits all-time high above $111K

Investors are shifting into Bitcoin as long-term bonds lose their appeal as traditional safe havens.

BRICS conclude Understanding on Data Economy Governance

Trade Ministers of the BRICS approved the Data Economy Governance Understanding, aiming to promote a fair data economy among BRICS nations and establishing a roadmap.

Crypto.com gains EU approval for crypto derivatives

The firm acquired Cyprus-based A.N. Allnew Investments to gain regulatory approval and expand its reach under the EU’s financial regulations.

Google US Department of justice Trump Antitrust Chrome

Judge rules Google must face chatbot lawsuit

The lawsuit alleges an AI chatbot manipulated a vulnerable teen by acting as a therapist and romantic partner before he died by suicide in February 2024.

EU funds African science with €500 million in new initiative

Horizon Europe backs African innovation and health projects

Pakistan sets up digital asset authority

Finance officials say the new authority will help Pakistan lead the global blockchain race.

Pavel Durov rejects French request to block political channels

France denies accusations that it tried to pressure Telegram into political censorship.

researchers validate quantum mimicry of organic molecules

New quantum method mimics molecular chemistry efficiently

Ion-based simulation offers a scalable quantum chemistry breakthrough.

Democrats shift stance on GENIUS Act

The Senate has advanced the GENIUS Act after reaching a bipartisan deal on new stablecoin rules.

Coinbase hit by breach and SEC probe ahead of S&P 500 entry

Coinbase declines ransom, offers $20 million reward for information on hackers.

closeup shot of the waving flag of the united nations with interesting

The UN calls for urgent regulation of military AI

Recently, 96 countries met at the UN to discuss AI-powered weapons, expanding the conversation to include human rights, criminal law, and ethics, with a push for legally binding agreements by 2026.

View all updates

READING CORNER

Between theory and practice: Rethinking diplomatic theory – Diplo

Diplomatic theory says: follow orders. Practice shows: shape reality. Between theory and practice lies the diplomat’s quiet craft. Aldo Matteucci asks if theory can catch up.

Compromise is not a dirty word – It’s the glue holding us together – Diplo

What does ‘compromise’ truly mean, and why does the word so often carry negative connotations?

The rise of tech giants in healthcare: How AI is reshaping life sciences

AI-powered tools from Google, IBM, and startups improve diagnostics, clinical documentation, and patient care, reducing clinician workloads and enhancing healthcare outcomes worldwide.

Can the Vatican mediate peace today? – Diplo

The Vatican’s potential role in mediating peace between Russia and Ukraine highlights its historical significance in diplomacy. Amid today’s geopolitical complexities, Pope Leo XIV’s initiative, alongside the Community of Sant’Egidio’s proven mediation successes, embodies the Vatican’s unique moral authority.

UPCOMING EVENTS

FORUM SUISSE DE POLITIQUE INTERNATIONALE

26 May 2025, 11:45h – 14:00h

FSPI-BSCC lunch debate with Ms. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of ITU

The event’s theme will be ‘Bridging the Digital Divide in the AI Era’.

26 May 2025, 13:00h – 14:00h

Digitalisation and blending of training programmes

The International Labour Organization (ILO) will host an online presentation to launch a new practical guide on the digitalisation and blending of training programmes, on 25 May 2025.

26 May 2025 – 30 May 2025

ITU Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group (TSAG) May 2025

The International Telecommunication Union’s Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group (TSAG) will hold its first meeting of the 2025–2028 study period from 26 to 30 May 2025 at ITU headquarters in Geneva.

27 May 2025 – 30 May 2025

International Conference on Cyber Conflict (CyCon) 2025

The 17th International Conference on Cyber Conflict (CyCon 2025), organised by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE), will take place from 27 to 30 May 2025.

27 May 2025 – 30 May 2025

IGF Brazil 2025

The 15th edition of IGF Brazil (Fórum da Internet no Brasil (FIB15)) will take place from 26 to 30 May, 2025, at the Fiesta Bahia Hotel in Salvador, Bahia.

28 May 2025

Tech attache briefing: UN80 Initiative, AI, and digital governance – Diplo Event

The International Telecommunication Union’s Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group (TSAG) will hold its first meeting of the 2025–2028 study period from 26 to 30 May 2025 at ITU headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

28 May 2025, 14:00h – 17:00h

Beyond relief: Resilient aid systems for the digital era

The official launch of the Digital Hub of Treasury Solutions (DHoTS) will occur on 28 May 2025.

23 Jun 2025 – 27 Jun 2025

Internet Governance Forum 2025

The Government of Norway will host the 20th annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Lillestrøm from 23 to 27 June 2025.

24 Jun 2025 – 27 Jun 2025

Global Forum on the Ethics of AI 2025

Thailand will host the 3rd UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence from 24 to 27 June 2025.

EU funds African science with €500 million in new initiative

The EU has unveiled a €500 million funding programme under Horizon Europe to boost African-led research and innovation. A total of 24 funding calls are organised around five thematic areas.

Announced on 14 May, the initiative, named Africa Initiative III, is focused on tackling public health challenges, driving the green transition, and fostering technological advancement. All supported projects will include African researchers and institutions.

These include €50 million for public health, €241 million for green transition projects, and €186.5 million for innovation and technology. Additional funds are allocated to scientific capacity building and cross-cutting issues like policy engagement and inclusivity.

Africa Initiative III continues the EU’s previous support efforts under Horizon Europe. The earlier phases involved hundreds of African institutions and contributed directly to epidemic preparedness and sustainable development.

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