Standards bodies and regulators quietly decide what becomes mandatory long before it reaches a press release. This category follows DRM and anti-piracy enforcement, codec licensing and patent pools, AI training-data copyright, and net neutrality and privacy rules shaping the industry.
Cable industry groups are suing the FCC to block the repeal of the 39 percent national television ownership cap, arguing the agency lacks the authority to override a limit established by Congress. The industry contends that the repeal will lead to increased market consolidation and higher retransmission fees for consumers.
The Federal Trade Commission has issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to investigate whether digital platforms should be held liable for impersonation scams facilitated by their ad-optimization and targeting tools. The inquiry seeks public comment on potential new obligations for platforms regarding advertiser verification and ad screening to prevent fraudulent content.
Sisvel's weekly industry round-up highlights a new multi-year patent licensing agreement between Huawei and Qualcomm covering 5G, AI, and networking technologies. The report also notes ongoing regulatory developments, including potential changes to the USPTO's PTAB regime and research regarding the lobbying influence of US tech giants in the EU.
The Arizona Court of Appeals has vacated a manslaughter sentence after ruling that an AI-generated video of the victim, used as a victim impact statement, was unreliable evidence. The decision marks a significant legal precedent regarding the admissibility and ethical implications of synthetic media in judicial proceedings.
The bipartisan NO FAKES Act, which would establish federal intellectual property rights against unauthorized digital voice and likeness replicas, is currently awaiting a full Senate floor vote. The legislation aims to address growing concerns regarding AI-driven identity theft and the unauthorized use of synthetic media.
New Jersey Assemblywoman Annette Quijano has introduced bill A5482, which proposes a temporary moratorium on the construction or expansion of AI data centers exceeding 10 megawatts. The legislation seeks to establish a commission to evaluate the impact of these facilities on the state's power grid, water resources, and local infrastructure.
Greece plans to mandate a 15-year age limit for social media access starting January 1, 2027, utilizing a privacy-focused 'Kids Wallet' verification tool. The policy aims to curb digital addiction and aligns with the European Commission’s proposed EU Kids Act framework.
Apple is reportedly delaying the release of its Siri AI features in the European Union, with analysts suggesting the wait could exceed five months. The company is allegedly using the restricted availability to pressure the European Commission regarding its regulatory approach to AI and platform services.
The Internet Watch Foundation reported a 40% increase in AI-generated child sexual abuse imagery during the first half of 2026 compared to the entirety of 2025. The organization is urging EU policymakers to finalize legislation that would grant platforms legal authority to detect and remove both known and unknown criminal content.
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has released a transparency report evaluating the child-safety and moderation practices of Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, and Steam. The report, based on mandatory disclosures, highlights significant disparities in age-assurance mechanisms, proactive detection tools, and trust and safety resourcing across these major gaming platforms.
A China-aligned hacking group known as TA419 is impersonating Anthropic employees and former US government officials to distribute malware to AI policy experts. The campaign aims to gain unauthorized access to cloud accounts by exploiting professional relationships within the AI development sector.
Major technology firms including OpenAI, Google, and Nvidia have signed a voluntary AI safety accord with the Trump administration. The government also established a new Super Intelligence Task Force and a military-focused Autonomous Warfare Command, marking a significant shift in federal AI oversight and policy.
The Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group report analyzes how algorithmic ranking, psychological profiling, and generative AI are being used to manipulate information environments and undermine cognitive autonomy. For streaming professionals, the analysis highlights the increasing regulatory and ethical pressure on platforms regarding opaque content curation and the deployment of synthetic media.
The IETF has published an experimental draft for the Autonomous Agent Certification Protocol (AACP), a framework designed to cryptographically verify AI agent capabilities. The protocol aims to standardize how systems validate agent performance against defined evaluation profiles, separating capability certification from existing identity and authorization mechanisms.
UK parliamentary committee chair Chi Onwurah is urging the Competition and Markets Authority to utilize the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act to challenge Apple and Google's app store duopoly. The call focuses on addressing 30% commission fees and anti-steering policies that restrict developer choice and impact market competition.
The European Commission has launched the DSA Data Access Portal to provide vetted researchers with access to data from Very Large Online Platforms and Search Engines. This initiative aims to facilitate independent oversight of systemic risks, including disinformation and online safety, as mandated by Article 40 of the Digital Services Act.
The piracy group DenuvOwO has disbanded following a DMCA-based lawsuit filed by Irdeto against a separate actor, voices38. While the group's hypervisor-based bypass method remains public, the legal action demonstrates the increasing effectiveness of DMCA litigation in disrupting anonymous piracy operations targeting DRM protections.
Members of the European Parliament are debating a proposed digital trade agreement with South Korea, specifically scrutinizing provisions related to data localization and source-code protection. While some lawmakers express concern over potential constraints on future regulatory autonomy, the European Commission asserts that the deal will not hinder the enforcement of existing frameworks like the GDPR and the Digital Markets Act.
Brazil's Superior Electoral Court (TSE) has enacted strict regulations on the use of generative AI and deepfakes in political advertising ahead of the 2026 presidential election. The move aims to curb disinformation, though it has sparked ongoing conflicts between state regulators and global tech platforms regarding content moderation and platform liability.
The Australian Federal Government has released a discussion paper proposing three potential technology paths for the future of free-to-air television, ranging from infrastructure consolidation to an online-dominant model. The consultation invites industry feedback on the use of DVB-T, DVB-T2, and MPEG-4 standards to shape the long-term delivery of broadcast services.
Alphabet is challenging European Union orders under the Digital Markets Act that would require the company to share search data and services with AI and search competitors. The company argues the mandate threatens user privacy and security, while the EU maintains the data is necessary to ensure fair competition in the AI market.
AFP and Dalet have announced a partnership to integrate C2PA Content Credentials into video production workflows to ensure content authenticity. The companies plan to complete a proof of concept by Q1 2027 to demonstrate how provenance data can be maintained from field capture through distribution.
Telecom operators are increasingly focusing on organizational resilience and supply chain sustainability to address climate change, as Scope 3 emissions represent 79% of industry output. The sector is also navigating the growing interdependencies between power grid stability and infrastructure reliability, particularly as AI-driven data center energy demands rise.
The Philippines Coast Guard intercepted a Chinese survey vessel, the Jia Hai Ke 7, loitering near critical subsea cable infrastructure in the Luzon Strait. The incident highlights growing geopolitical risks to global connectivity and the potential for state-sponsored disruption of undersea communications infrastructure.
Fanatics Live and Whatnot are facing a whistleblower lawsuit alleging that their card-break livestreaming formats function as unlicensed lotteries. The legal challenge coincides with multiple lawsuits from livestream sellers claiming that TikTok and Fanatics unfairly banned accounts over gambling-related allegations.
A federal judge has allowed seven claims to proceed in a lawsuit alleging that Paramount improperly collected and shared data from children using its Pluto TV service. The litigation centers on allegations that the platform shared user data with third parties, including Alphabet and Microsoft, without parental consent.
The World Health Organization is calling on streaming platforms, device manufacturers, and event organizers to adopt global safe listening standards to mitigate hearing loss. The initiative promotes the implementation of ITU-T standards for safe listening in personal devices and video gameplay.
The FCC has adopted new rules to open over 1,000 megahertz of spectrum in the 12 GHz and 42 GHz bands to support satellite broadband and ground network infrastructure. The Commission is also exploring further allocations in the Ku-, Ka-, and D-bands to facilitate expanded satellite connectivity and specialized space-based operations.
The Television Bureau of Advertising is petitioning the FCC to reverse a policy that expands lowest unit rate eligibility for political advertising to party-coordinated committees. The trade group argues the expansion causes economic harm to broadcasters and is challenging the mandate on First Amendment grounds.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr has warned broadcasters that airing knowingly false political polls could violate news distortion and hoax regulations. Commissioner Anna Gomez criticized the stance, arguing it represents an overreach of federal authority to influence election outcomes and impacts editorial decision-making.
California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed SB 1130, a bill that would have mandated visible recording indicators on smart glasses and penalized unauthorized recording in private spaces. The governor rejected the legislation due to its overly broad definition of wearable recording devices, despite support from privacy advocates.
The European Commission is increasingly scrutinizing data consolidation and access to commercially sensitive information in merger reviews, moving beyond traditional horizontal and vertical analysis. This shift requires companies to substantiate merger-specific efficiencies and account for regulatory constraints like the Digital Markets Act when justifying data-driven transactions.
A New Mexico jury has found Meta liable for over 43 million violations of the state's Unfair Practices Act, citing misleading privacy assurances and content moderation practices. The verdict could result in billions of dollars in civil penalties, marking a significant legal development for the platform's data and safety operations.
Ireland has launched the Impress Dispute Resolution (IDR) service, a certified body under the EU Digital Services Act, to provide a free alternative to court action for challenging online content moderation decisions. This development increases regulatory pressure on social media and content-sharing platforms to handle disputes efficiently or face potential fines of up to 6% of global annual turnover.
The Canadian federal government has yet to implement a framework for compensating news organizations for copyrighted material used in AI model training. While a parliamentary committee proposed an authorization and remuneration model, the government has only acknowledged the recommendation without committing to legislative action.
A U.S. District Court judge has dismissed an antitrust lawsuit filed by Penske Media against Google regarding the use of publisher content in AI-generated search snippets. The court ruled that antitrust laws do not cover the economic impact of AI overviews and that the issue is better suited for legislative action.
LaLiga has formally requested that the European Commission include major VPN providers on its Counterfeit and Piracy Watch List, alleging these services facilitate unauthorized access to live sports broadcasts. The move aims to pressure VPN providers to implement stricter measures against geo-blocking circumvention and copyright infringement.
The European Commission has proposed the EU KIDS Act, a comprehensive regulation mandating strict child-safety requirements for social media, video platforms, and AI services. The proposal includes requirements for certified age verification, bans on addictive design features, and potential fines of up to 6% of worldwide annual revenue for noncompliance.
Academic Lorna Woods defends the proposed Australian digital duty of care legislation, clarifying that it targets platform design and business models rather than individual content. The framework aims to hold providers accountable for system-level choices that may lead to foreseeable harms, distinguishing it from traditional content-based regulation.
The French Competition Authority has initiated an investigation into Canal+ regarding potential abuse of its dominant market position in film acquisition and distribution. The probe centers on specific provisions from a 2021 agreement that allegedly restricted film availability on competing platforms and imposed unfair conditions.
The U.S. Senate has passed the Protect College Sports Act of 2026, which establishes a federal framework for NIL rights and athlete compensation. The legislation includes provisions allowing for the collective pooling and sale of college media rights, which could significantly alter future sports broadcasting rights negotiations.
Bird & Bird's 2027 edition of the International Comparative Legal Guide analyzes critical developments in European patent enforcement, including Unified Patent Court jurisdiction and UK-specific rulings on AI and FRAND licensing. The report provides legal context for companies managing cross-border patent portfolios and standard-essential patent litigation.
The European Commission has officially designated ChatGPT as a Very Large Online Search Engine (VLOSE) under the Digital Services Act. This designation requires OpenAI to implement systemic risk management and mitigation measures, creating a dual-regulatory framework alongside the EU AI Act.
The European Commission has issued an opinion confirming that a new Code of Practice provides an adequate framework for businesses to meet AI Act transparency requirements for deepfakes and public-interest content. While the code facilitates compliance, the Commission notes that adherence does not serve as conclusive proof of regulatory fulfillment.
ETSI has published the EN 304 132 standard, establishing a consistent methodology for life cycle assessment (LCA) of smartphones. This framework aims to provide a standardized benchmark for manufacturers and operators to measure and report the environmental impact of devices throughout their life cycle.
Legal experts at a Baker Botts event analyzed the European Commission's new Article 102 Guidelines on exclusionary conduct. The panel discussed the shift toward presumption-based enforcement and the regulatory tension between these guidelines and the Digital Markets Act for major tech companies.
This article examines the competition-law implications of content authenticity verification systems, arguing that they may function as anticompetitive gatekeepers when integrated with distribution and advertising access. It highlights how control over verification infrastructure can lead to market foreclosure, self-preferencing, and reduced information diversity.
StreamYard has updated its content moderation policy to align with the Digital Services Act, the DMCA, and the Take it Down Act. The policy outlines the platform's procedures for automated and human review, reporting mechanisms, and user appeal processes.
Deloitte provides guidance for digital platforms on complying with Ofcom's upcoming Codes of Practice under the UK Online Safety Act. The regulations, expected by mid-2027, will mandate proactive measures for in-scope platforms to identify and mitigate fraudulent paid-for advertising.
Professor Sahana Udupa analyzes the rise of 'thick fakes' in political campaigning, arguing that AI-generated content often relies on social narratives rather than factual deception. The research suggests that current labeling regulations are insufficient and proposes a multi-faceted policy approach including professional codes of conduct and stricter campaign finance oversight.
