Slovakia proposes social media ban for children under 16
Slovakia’s government has approved a bill that would prohibit children under 16 from creating social media accounts, with age verification required for users.
IGF 2026 makes submitted session proposals public
The IGF Secretariat has published all session proposals submitted for the 2026 Internet Governance Forum, allowing the community to review the ideas put forward for the programme.
Nigeria approves two new satellites
The Federal Executive Council of Nigeria approved the acquisition, manufacture, launch and deployment of two next‑generation high‑throughput communication satellites, NIGCOMSAT‑2A and NIGCOMSAT‑2B, with Thales Alenia Space and Israel Aerospace Industries selected as the satellite manufacturers.
Brazil’s Data Protection watchdog fines TikTok over the mishandling of minors’ personal data
The Agência Nacional de Proteção de Dados (ANPD) imposed a fine of R$ 153.7 million on ByteDance, the controller of TikTok, for alleged breaches of Brazil’s Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados in relation to the processing of children’s and adolescents’ personal data. The sanction, published on 25 August 2026, also orders the deletion of irregularly collected data and requires ByteDance to implement a compliance plan.
W3C publishes Web Authentication Level 3 as a web standard
The latest version of the Web Authentication standard provides a framework for websites to use public key credentials and authenticators for stronger and more secure user authentication.
Registration opens for APNIC 62
APNIC 62 will take place in Mumbai and online in September 2026, bringing together workshops, partner meetings, a conference and APNIC’s policy and membership discussions.
TikTok and ByteDance agree US $400 million settlement with US Department of Justice
TikTok and its parent ByteDance have agreed to pay US$400 million to settle a United States Department of Justice lawsuit alleging violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. The settlement provides for an immediate payment of US$300 million and a further US$100 million linked to a 2019 Federal Trade Commission order.
Lesotho moves from AI policy to national strategy and digital infrastructure planning
Lesotho is moving towards implementing its recently finalised AI policy by developing a national AI strategy alongside plans for a national data centre, with a focus on infrastructure, skills and practical implementation.
Pope Leo XIV warns AI could deepen technological dependence
Pope Leo XIV has called for human-centred AI policies, warning that rapid technological development could increase dependence on wealthier countries and reinforce existing economic inequalities.
South Korea and Mexico explore closer cooperation on AI
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco in Seoul on 24 August 2024 to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in artificial intelligence, energy security and other areas, and called for strengthening the institutional foundation for trade and investment.
