Oracle to oversee TikTok algorithm in US deal
Tech giant Oracle is set to receive a copy of TikTok's algorithm to manage the app's operations for US users as part of an agreement addressing national security concerns.
US lawmakers debate promise and risks of artificial intelligence
US lawmakers held a hearing on September 17 to weigh the benefits and risks of artificial intelligence, focusing on innovation, jobs, privacy, and national security. Experts urged Congress to create a federal framework that encourages growth while protecting workers and consumers from bias, scams, and other harms.
ICANN’s GNSO Council seeks volunteers for SPIRT
ICANN’s GNSO Council has opened a call for volunteers to join the Standing Predictability Implementation Review Team (SPIRT), which will address issues in the upcoming round of new domain names. Applications are due by 17 October 2025. The team will help ensure transparency and fairness in how changes to the program are managed, giving civil society and other stakeholders a chance to shape the process.
GNI and CDT lead joint call to defend encryption in Russia
A new joint statement coordinated by the Global Network Initiative and the Center for Democracy & Technology condemns Russia’s escalating restrictions on encrypted communication. The signatories warn that blocking end-to-end encrypted services, forcing citizens onto state-controlled platforms and restricting VPNs violates international human-rights standards and risks normalizing digital authoritarianism worldwide.
UN climate chief calls for action on AI, energy and finance ahead of COP30
Simon Stiell said AI can enhance planning, energy management and climate risk mapping if used wisely instead of replacing human skills.
Scientific Advisory Board calls for global commitment to open science
The UN’s Scientific Advisory Board has called for urgent action to advance open science, stressing that sharing research data and knowledge openly is vital for tackling global challenges like climate change, pandemics, and inequality. The Board warned that geopolitical tensions and the privatisation of research threaten progress, urging governments, the UN, and private actors to make scientific knowledge a true global public good.
French regulator warns against real-time tracking of children
The French data protection authority (CNIL) has warned parents against using GPS trackers and similar devices to monitor their children in real time, saying it can harm their development, autonomy, and trust within the family. The regulator also raised privacy and safety concerns, urging parents to avoid constant tracking and instead use less intrusive ways to stay in contact.
Europe prepares formal call for AI Gigafactory projects
EU plans to fund four to five AI Gigafactories, consolidating 76 pitches into fewer large training hubs.
UN warns AI poses risks without proper climate oversight
Renewable energy investment is booming globally, yet financing gaps and uneven benefits highlight the need for stronger climate action.
UK and USA sign technology prosperity deal
The UK and USA will collaborate on AI infrastructure, expand computing access, and develop key datasets, focusing on flagship research in biotechnology, medicine, and nuclear energy.
