EU and Japan hold seventh Cyber Dialogue in Brussels
The European Union and Japan reviewed cyber threats, regulatory developments, and international cooperation during their seventh Cyber Dialogue, held in Brussels on 28 January 2026.
EU member states move toward coordinated talks on deepfakes as a security risk
EU governments are preparing formal discussions on the risks posed by AI-generated deepfakes, signalling a shift toward treating synthetic media as a matter of cybersecurity and democratic resilience rather than only content regulation.
ICANN sets public meeting dates for 2029–2033
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers has published a five-year schedule for its public meetings, offering predictability for governments, civil society, businesses, and technical experts involved in managing the global internet.
ICANN85 prep week schedule published ahead of Mumbai community forum
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers has released the programme for ICANN85 Prep Week, a series of online briefings designed to prepare the community for the March 2026 Community Forum in Mumbai.
Austrian watchdog orders Microsoft to stop tracking schoolchildren in Microsoft 365 Education
Austria’s data protection authority has ruled that Microsoft unlawfully used tracking cookies on a student’s device through its education software, marking a further regulatory setback for the company’s use of personal data in schools.
French lawmakers approve social media ban for children under 15
France’s lower house has adopted legislation banning access to social media for children under 15 and restricting mobile phone use in high schools. The bill, backed by the government, now moves to the upper chamber for consideration.
Commission expands DSA investigation into X to cover Grok integration
The European Commission has opened a new formal investigation into X under the Digital Services Act, examining risks linked to the deployment of Grok and the platform’s recommender systems in the EU.
France to ban social media for children under 15 by September 2026?
President Emmanuel Macron has called for accelerated legislation to restrict access to social media for under-15s, citing child protection concerns and the influence of platform-driven algorithms on young people’s well-being.
ITU publishes updated framework for self-organising networks in IoT environments
The International Telecommunication Union has released an updated recommendation explaining how connected devices can automatically organise themselves into networks, particularly in environments without central infrastructure. The document was approved in November 2025 and published in January 2026.
ITU maps global standards for IoT, digital twins, and smart cities
The International Telecommunication Union has published an updated overview of global standards related to the internet of things, digital twins, and smart, sustainable cities. The document was approved in September 2025 and released in January 2026 as a reference guide for policymakers, regulators, and technical communities.
