#regulation

A man in Germany purchased a 3.1-liter bottle of Coca-Cola to protest against rising prices and government economic policies, turning a simple consumer choice into a symbolic act of economic resistance against inflation and regulation.

The Clarity Act, a proposed US bill, aims to provide a clear regulatory framework for digital assets, addressing classification and oversight issues. Its passage could influence global cryptocurrency regulation by setting a precedent for how other nations approach digital asset laws and compliance.

South Africa is positioning itself as a test case for AI governance across Africa, leveraging its established data protection framework and financial sector readiness. The country's approach could set regulatory precedents for the continent, balancing innovation with responsible AI deployment amid global policy developments.

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued a reminder to broadcasters that their licenses are a privilege, not a right, signaling a tougher regulatory stance on compliance with public service obligations and potentially stricter enforcement actions for violations.

The European Union is distancing itself from US Big Tech companies amid political tensions driven by Donald Trump's influence. This shift marks a growing divide in transatlantic relations over technology regulation, data privacy, and digital sovereignty, as the EU pursues stricter oversight of American tech giants.

Senator Edward Markey is questioning whether the deal that saved TikTok's future in the U.S. adequately addresses national security risks, requesting more details on the terms and protections involved.

Prediction markets face new insider trading scrutiny from U.S. regulators investigating whether traders use non-public information to profit on event-based contracts. The markets operate in a regulatory gray area, but recent cases are prompting calls for clearer rules.

The SEC has reversed a longstanding day trading rule, allowing retail brokers to offer unlimited same-day trades without the $25,000 minimum account balance previously required. The change is expected to boost trading activity and revenue for retail brokerages.

The EU's moderation watchdog reported that major social media platforms are reluctant to remove hate speech, often failing to comply with regulatory requests. The findings highlight ongoing tensions between platform policies and European Union content moderation standards.

Pope Leo XIV's forthcoming AI encyclical is expected to challenge the tech industry on algorithmic bias, labor displacement, and corporate power concentration, calling for ethics and human dignity in development.

The European Union has fined Temu €200 million for failing to prevent the sale of illegal and unsafe products on its e-commerce platform, marking a significant enforcement action under the bloc's digital regulations.

Eric Goldman's blog post examines consumer resistance to online age authentication, analyzing data on how often users abandon or refuse to complete age verification processes. The post explores the trade-offs between privacy concerns, convenience, and compliance requirements for websites implementing these checks.

The VPN industry is pushing back against proposals in the UK's online safety consultation that could treat VPNs as a threat, urging regulators to take an evidence-based approach instead. Industry groups argue VPNs are vital for privacy, security, and online freedom, and should not be unfairly targeted by new regulations.

The European Commission fined Temu €200 million for violating the Digital Services Act, citing failures to combat the sale of illegal products, prevent addictive design, and ensure data transparency. This marks one of the largest penalties imposed under the DSA since it took effect.

Ireland's low corporate tax rates and hosting of major tech firms have made it the primary obstacle to EU regulation of Big Tech, as Dublin resists enforcement to protect jobs and tax revenue.

A new report from Aithos titled LARA finds that leading AI models consistently violate laws and regulations, raising concerns about accountability and the need for stronger oversight in the development and deployment of advanced artificial intelligence systems.

US law enforcement has issued warnings about a rise in "anti-tech extremism," driven by growing public hostility toward artificial intelligence. Authorities are concerned that anger over AI's societal and economic impacts could lead to increased violence or sabotage against technology companies and infrastructure.

The article argues that prediction markets effectively reward insider trading, and that this is actually a feature rather than a bug. It contends that allowing people with non-public information to trade on it makes markets more accurate and informative.

The article examines challenges in preventing AI misuse, focusing on three key areas: differing regulations across jurisdictions, risks posed by open-weight models that allow unrestricted modification, and tensions between safety measures and user privacy. It argues these factors complicate efforts to govern AI responsibly without stifling innovation or undermining individual rights.

Kassi Solberg, a mother of six living near a major data center hub in rural Nebraska, has become a prominent activist fighting the expansion of large-scale data centers. She argues that these facilities strain local water and power resources while offering few jobs, rallying her community against tech giants like Google and Facebook.

The article examines Polymarket's prediction betting on elections, raising concerns about market manipulation, lack of UK regulation, and how betting odds could shape public perception and influence outcomes.

Spain's gambling regulator has ordered internet service providers to block access to prediction market platforms Polymarket and Kalshi, ruling they operate as unlicensed gambling services. The regulator stated that the platforms' event-based betting on outcomes like elections and sports constitutes gambling under Spanish law, requiring proper authorization.

New York's efforts to regulate e-bikes have stalled due to strong opposition from delivery workers and advocates, who argue the proposed rules would hurt low-income workers and hinder sustainable transportation. The backlash has forced lawmakers to pause and reconsider the regulations.

The European Union is reportedly preparing to fine Google a high triple-digit million euro sum, according to Handelsblatt. The penalty is related to an ongoing antitrust case against the tech giant's advertising technology business.

Google increasingly undermines its own products by prioritizing ads and self-promotion over user experience, cluttering search results with sponsored content and pushing its own services while degrading the quality of core offerings like search, YouTube, and Android, leading to frustration among users and calls for regulation.

Meta has urged the UK government to require Apple, rather than app developers, to implement age verification on iPhones and iPads. The push comes as Labour prepares online safety regulations, with Meta arguing that Apple is best placed to enforce age checks at the device level.

This proposal outlines a legal "Safe Harbor" for AI safety, where developers adhering to predefined standards receive liability protections to encourage responsible AI development.

The European Union is reportedly preparing to impose a fine on Google in the high triple-digit million euro range, according to a report by Handelsblatt. The penalty is related to competition concerns involving the company's advertising technology practices.

Anthropic and OpenAI are rolling out new AI models—Claude 4 and GPT-5—that significantly advance reasoning and autonomy, prompting heightened attention and concern from Washington policymakers over potential risks including national security, job displacement, and the need for new regulation.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified before the Senate, addressing concerns over data privacy, election interference, and content moderation. He acknowledged past mistakes and outlined steps Facebook is taking to improve security and transparency on its platform.