Tag: digital policy
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France Ramps Up Scrutiny on Grok Over Minors in AI-Generated Images
Background: Grok and the controversy The controversy surrounding Grok, a popular AI image generation tool, has intensified as French authorities strongly rebuked the platform amid reports that some generated images depicted minors in minimal clothing. The incidents appeared to violate Grok’s own acceptable-use policy, which explicitly prohibits the sexualization of children. In response, some offending…
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France Advances Australia-Style Social Media Ban for Children in 2026
France Moves to Shield Children with a 2026 Social Media Ban France is advancing a bold digital safety proposal that would mirror Australia’s recent crackdown on social media access for minors. A draft bill targeting under-15s is set to be submitted for legal scrutiny, with debates anticipated in parliament before it becomes law for the…
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France Moves to Ban Social Media for Under-15s in 2026
France Set to Ban Social Media for Children in 2026 France is preparing to follow Australia’s lead by moving to ban social media use for children starting with the 2026 academic year. A draft bill targeting under-15s is expected to undergo legal checks before being debated in parliament, signaling a bold shift in how the…
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US Congress Threatens Contempt Over eSafety Testimony
Overview: A Collision of Jurisdictions in Online Safety The fight over online safety rules has moved from debate rooms in Canberra to the floors of the United States Congress. Australian eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant is facing a high-stakes demand: testify within the next fortnight about recent online safety legislation and enforcement actions. If she…
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US Congress Threatens eSafety Commissioner Contempt Over Testimony on Online Safety Laws
Overview: A High-Stakes Push for Testimony The US Congress is pressing Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, to testify within the next fortnight about online safety laws and the cross-border implications of digital regulation. Congressional leaders have warned that failure to appear could lead to contempt charges, a serious formal rebuke that underscores tensions over…
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TikTok Creators Welcome U.S. Deal to Keep App on Home Soil
Intro: A Moment for Creators In a surprising turn amid a high-stakes debate over digital security and data privacy, a chorus of TikTok creators welcomed a proposed U.S.-backed deal aimed at keeping the app accessible on American soil. The conversations, led by influencers who rely on short-form video to reach millions, signal not just a…
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Malaysia to Auto-Register Major Social Platforms Under New Licensing From Jan 1
Overview: A new regulatory requirement for social platforms Starting January 1, WhatsApp, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, and other major social media and messaging services will be automatically registered under Malaysia’s licensing framework. The move, announced by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), marks a significant shift in how digital platforms are governed in the country.…
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Teenagers Challenge Australia’s New Social Media Age Ban in Court
Two Teenagers Launch Court Challenge Against Australia’s Social Media Ban for Under-16s In a bold move that pits digital rights against child protection policies, two Australian teenagers have asked the country’s judiciary to block a landmark law restricting social media access for anyone under 16. The challenge, filed just weeks before the legislation is due…
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Singapore orders TikTok, Meta to disable former ISA detainee’s accounts over posts inciting racial tensions
Singapore calls for social media takedown after posts fueling racial tensions Singapore has directed major social media platforms to disable the online accounts of a former Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee following a string of posts perceived to inflame tensions within the Malay/Muslim community and its relations with other ethnic groups. The move underscores the…
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Singapore Orders TikTok, Meta to Disable ISA Detainee Accounts Over Posts Stoking Racial Tensions
Singapore orders platforms to curb online incitement Singapore has directed major social media platforms to disable the accounts of a former Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee after repeated posts that authorities say stirred discontent within Singapore’s Malay and Muslim communities against ethnic-Chinese groups. The move underscores the city-state’s ongoing effort to balance free expression with…