Germany’s federal data protection authority is calling on EU lawmakers to abandon the current cookie-banner model and replace it with a centralised, machine-readable consent system embedded in the Digital Omnibus package. In new recommendations published on 13 August 2026, the Bundesbeauftragte für den Datenschutz und die Informationsfreiheit (BfDI), Louisa Specht-Riemenschneider, argues that cookie banners have [...]
More than 600 young people gathered at UN Headquarters in New York on International Youth Day to present a Youth-led Declaration on AI Policy and Governance. The declaration sets out youth perspectives and recommendations on AI and is intended to contribute to future UN discussions and the implementation of the Global Digital Compact.
The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) has submitted 17 draft standards for public review as part of the EU Cyber Resilience Act. The standards are intended to give manufacturers practical technical guidance for meeting the cybersecurity requirements that will apply to products with digital elements.
ICANN has closed the application window for its 2026 New Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD) Program Round, receiving more than 1,600 primary applications. The final number will depend on whether applicants complete the required evaluation fee payments, after which ICANN will begin reviewing the applications.
France’s Constitutional Council has struck down legislation that would have banned children under 15 from accessing social media, finding that the measure disproportionately restricted their freedom of expression and communication. The government is now expected to prepare a revised proposal that complies with the ruling and the EU’s regulatory framework.
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has published an updated Recommendation defining how developers should use ARIA attributes in HTML. The specification is intended to help developers build web interfaces that can be better understood and used by people relying on assistive technologies such as screen readers.
New findings from INTERPOL and Paradigm Initiative highlight the growing use of artificial intelligence in cybercrime across Africa and the need for locally developed safeguards that protect digital rights.
AFRINIC has opened a second community consultation on proposed amendments to its Constitution, with feedback accepted until 21 August 2026.
President Donald Trump has signed a memorandum creating a new US government programme to use cyber operations against foreign-based transnational criminal organisations. The programme will also allow vetted private companies to contribute threat intelligence and propose offensive cyber operations under federal direction and control.
Registration is open for the RIPE NCC General Meeting, taking place online and in Sofia from 28 to 30 October 2026 alongside RIPE 93.
Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment (CADE) is a project co-funded by the European Union.
