The initiative comes amid growing concern over extra-EU data transfers and the risk of third-country surveillance, particularly following debates on transatlantic data-sharing frameworks.
The European Commission has unveiled a new network of AI antennas across 13 European countries, marking a major step toward expanding artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and reducing digital divides across the continent.
The consultation opened on 20 October 2025 and will remain open until 22 December 2025.
The African Telecommunications Union has called for the WSIS+20 outcome to reaffirm the ITU’s leadership of the WSIS process, maintain the existing WSIS architecture, and secure sustainable funding for the WSIS Forum and participation of developing countries. Its contribution stresses that future UN digital-policy initiatives should build on, rather than replace, the WSIS framework, and highlights priorities including inclusive participation, open and interoperable digital public infrastructure, and measurable targets for energy efficiency and e-waste management.
The proposals strongly reaffirm the WSIS principles and the Tunis and Geneva outcomes, particularly the importance of multistakeholder engagement in global digital policy processes.
The European Data Protection Board has adopted two opinions on the European Commission’s proposal to extend the validity of the UK’s data adequacy decisions under the GDPR and the Law Enforcement Directive until December 2031, allowing data flows between the EU and UK to continue without additional safeguards.
The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) has submitted detailed feedback on the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Proposed Zero Draft for a Standard on Documentation of AI Datasets and Models. While welcoming the effort to enhance transparency and accountability in AI, CDT urged NIST to include clearer guidance on system-level documentation, implementation practices, and data governance.
The EU’s Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising (TTPA) regulation, which demands full disclosure of sponsors, ad spend and targeting, prompts Meta to halt political ad sales.
Over 40 civil society organisations have called on the European Commission to investigate whether Ireland’s privacy regulator, the Data Protection Commission (DPC), remains truly independent following the appointment of a former Meta lobbyist as one of its commissioners.
Member States and observers met on 15 October 2025 (10:00–13:00) in the ECOSOC Chamber, United Nations Headquarters, New York for the Second Preparatory Meeting of the WSIS+20 General Assembly overall review. Convened by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) through its Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (DPIDG), the [...]
Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment (CADE) is a project co-funded by the European Union.
