The German Federal Court of Justice recently clarified online platforms' liability for user-generated content, ruling platforms aren't directly liable without knowledge but must act swiftly upon notification, significantly impacting digital service providers across Europe.
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner ordered Telegram to pay AUD 1 million for ignoring transparency obligations. Officials requested details on terrorist and child sexual content steps, but Telegram delayed months, triggering enforcement under the Online Safety Act.
On 28 February 2025, Japan’s Cabinet announced significant plans to introduce a Bill to promote research, development, and practical application of artificial intelligence technologies. The legislation focuses on transparency, protection of rights, and international cooperation.
The European Commission launched unannounced inspections into data centre construction firms, investigating alleged anticompetitive practices, including no-poach agreements and cartel behaviour, under EU antitrust rules.
On 17 November 2024, the European Commission conducted surprise inspections at several data centre construction companies, probing potential breaches of EU antitrust laws, particularly concerning alleged no-poach agreements.
No-poach agreements involve companies mutually agreeing not to hire or solicit each other's employees. While such arrangements might seem to promote stability, they can suppress employee mobility and wage growth, undermining fair competition.
The Commission's focus on these agreements demonstrates their commitment to maintaining a competitive labour market.
The Commission's unannounced inspections, often referred to as "dawn raids," are a preliminary step in antitrust investigations.
These actions do not imply guilt but indicate the Commission's serious concerns about potential anti-competitive practices in the data centre construction sector.
In addition to on-site inspections, formal information requests have been sent to other companies in the industry.
The data centre construction industry has experienced significant growth, driven by the increasing demand for cloud services and digital infrastructure.
This expansion has attracted scrutiny regarding business practices, especially concerning labor agreements that could hinder competition.
The Commission's investigation reflects a broader effort to ensure that rapid industry growth does not come at the expense of fair market practices.
The investigation centres on potential violations of Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which prohibits agreements that restrict competition.
If companies are found to have engaged in no-poach agreements, they could face substantial fines and be required to alter their employment practices to comply with EU competition laws.
The duration of the investigation will depend on various factors, including the complexity of the case and the level of cooperation from the companies involved.
The Commission has emphasised that the inspections are a preliminary step and do not prejudge the outcome of the investigation.
Companies found in violation of antitrust rules may face significant penalties, including fines and orders to cease the infringing practices.
Italy has enforced new rules requiring digital devices to support parental control apps, ensuring parents can monitor children's online activity. The law also prevents companies from using collected data for advertising or profiling, strengthening privacy protections.
The CFPB seeks to categorise certain data brokers as consumer reporting agencies under Regulation V. Doing so would tighten obligations, require more transparency, and ensure consumers can see, correct, and control their own information.
House Bill H.210, introduced in Vermont, outlines new guidelines for digital platforms handling minors’ data. By mandating default high-privacy settings and transparent practices, legislators aim to reduce risks of emotional harm and excessive data harvesting.
Both GDPR and HIPAA are key regulations focused on protecting sensitive data. GDPR applies to personal data of EU residents, while HIPAA governs healthcare data in the U.S. Organisations must comply with both for international operations.
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