Digital Policy Lab: Policy Digest #20

Policy Digests offer an overview of recent digital policy developments in Digital Policy Lab (DPL) member countries, including regulatory and non-regulatory initiatives aiming to combat online harms such as disinformation, hate speech, extremist or terrorist content.

Preliminary findings indicated TikTok’s ad repository violated the Digital Services Act. Belgian court declared transparency and consent framework illegal, having decisive effect across Europe. European Commission launched consultation on enhanced online protection guidelines for minors. European Commission launched consultation on format and specifications for political advertisement labels and notices under implementing regulation. Apple fined EUR 500 million and Meta fined EUR 200 million for breaching Digital Markets Act (DMA). Berlin upheld access restrictions to adult websites citing minors’ protection and legal non-compliance. Regional courts provided guidance on Meta’s user data processing for AI training. TikTok fined EUR 530 million for transferring European users’ personal data and breaching transparency rules. AGCOM introduced new age verification regulations for online platforms. Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner issued key guidelines on AI data processing under new Data Protection Act. Ofcom launched Online Information Advisory Committee. Ofcom published major safety updates, including draft Codes to protect children online. US Congress passed TAKE IT DOWN ACT to criminalise non-consensual intimate imagery. US Federal Trade Commission issued updated rules on children’s privacy.