ICANN issues request for proposal for quality control of the 2026 New gTLD round
ICANN has launched a public request for proposal to appoint an independent quality control provider for evaluations under the 2026 New gTLD Program.
ICANN issues final call for Community Excellence Award nominations
Nominations for the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers’ Community Excellence Award close on 8 January 2026, recognising sustained contributions to ICANN’s multistakeholder model.
India designates ICEGATE, ECCS and ACES-GST as critical information infrastructure
The Indian government has formally classified key customs and tax digital systems as Critical Information Infrastructure under the Information Technology Act, strengthening legal protections for platforms central to customs clearance and indirect tax administration.
California implements training data transparency rules for generative AI systems
A new California law requiring transparency around the training data used in generative AI systems will take effect on 1 January 2026. The measure introduces disclosure obligations for developers and marks a shift toward greater scrutiny of how generative models are built and updated.
France plnas to ban social media access for children under 15
France is preparing draft legislation that would prohibit children under 15 from accessing social media platforms, with the proposal backed by President Emmanuel Macron and expected to enter parliamentary debate in early 2026.
RIPE NCC welcomes WSIS+20 outcome reaffirming multistakeholder internet governance
The Réseaux IP Européens Network Coordination Centre (RIPE NCC) has welcomed the adoption of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)+20 Outcome Document by the United Nations General Assembly, describing it as a strong signal in support of multistakeholder cooperation, human rights–based digital development, and a secure and interoperable global Internet.
Poland calls on Commission to investigate TikTok over AI-generated disinformation
Poland has urged the European Commission to open proceedings against TikTok after AI-generated videos promoting Poland’s withdrawal from the EU circulated on the platform. Warsaw argues the case raises concerns about election interference and compliance with the EU’s Digital Services Act.
India signals push to build AI on digital public infrastructure and widen access to compute
A new white paper developed through consultations with government and industry stakeholders outlines a policy direction for building artificial intelligence on India’s digital public infrastructure, with a focus on democratising access to computing resources and supporting inclusive innovation.
China moves to tighten rules on using chat logs to train AI systems
Chinese regulators have proposed new restrictions on how AI companies collect and use chat log data for model training, signalling a stronger emphasis on user consent, data protection, and safeguards for minors while continuing to support the development of interactive AI services.
Delhi High Court orders strict e-KYC for domain name registrants to curb cyber fraud
The Delhi High Court has mandated enhanced electronic know-your-customer (e-KYC) verification for domain name registrants in India, citing links between anonymous registrations and cybercrime, including phishing and fraud.
