EU RULES
UK plans facial recognition surveillance to identify visa overstayers and immigration offenders
The UK government is set to broaden the application of live facial recognition technology to detect immigration violations across various venues such as transport hubs, ports, and major public gatherings. The Home Office's goal is to track down individuals who have overstayed their visas or arrived unlawfully in the UK.
EU's 2030 ban on single-use ketchup sachets puts condiment packets in spotlight
Starting in 2030, the European Union will ban single-serve condiment sachets, including ketchup and mayonnaise, in restaurants as part of efforts to tackle waste. Takeaway services and specific healthcare facilities will be exempt to ensure hygiene. Alternative solutions such as refillable dispensers and small bowls will be encouraged, highlighting a shift towards more sustainable practices in response to environmental concerns about single-use plastics.
Activists breach Microsoft data centre construction site as protests spread in Europe
Activist groups have announced actions in 16 countries on Friday and Saturday, according to the "Stop Dirty Data Centres" coalition, which is rallying environmental groups and digital rights campaigns behind calls to pause large-scale construction.
EU charges TikTok over harmful algorithmic 'rabbit hole' effects
EU tech regulators charged social media platform TikTok on Friday with breaching the bloc's online content rules due to the so-called "rabbit hole" effect of its recommender system, which attracts users' attention to a constant stream of
Lithuania changes residence permit rules, creating fresh hurdles for Indian workers and students
In a move to tighten immigration control, Lithuania has established new residence permit rules that pose challenges for foreign nationals, especially from India. This shift affects Indian workers and students looking for work or study opportunities within the country. Particular visa types will now encounter more scrutiny, necessitating that employers assess the eligibility of candidates accurately.
Oman tightens expat worker recruitment rules from January 2027; agencies must provide insurance, refunds
Effective January 1, 2027, Oman is set to enforce new, tougher rules for hiring expatriate workers, which will necessitate insurance coverage and adherence to recruitment timelines. Recruitment agencies will shoulder increased financial duties, including the possibility of refunds for employers.
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GPU bidding norms eased; Lenskart CEO on profitability
Happy Thursday! Govt has lowered entry barriers for GPU bidders, but pricing concerns remain. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
With most drug candidates failing in humans, India’s draft rules bet on the wrong science in animal lab testing
Recent draft rules in India threaten advancements in non-animal testing for drug development and safety. The new regulations may prioritize animal testing over innovative human-based methods, despite their proven reliability. Efforts to incorporate non-animal methodologies into national standards have gained support from various government initiatives. Significant funding has been allocated to promote alternative testing methods throughout the country.
India leads on non-animal testing and its draft lab animal rules threaten to undo that
India's draft Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Rules 2026 proposes significant changes to animal research regulations and oversight. It allows for harsher experimental practices that could cause severe suffering to animals. Local committees would gain power to approve experiments without thorough central review, raising concerns about ethical standards. This shift contradicts the existing legal framework established by the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960.
India-EU trade deal to ease mobility for Indian professionals, but work visas will still be required
The proposed India-European Union Free Trade Agreement is set to simplify temporary entry for Indian professionals. It includes provisions for intra-corporate transferees, contractual service suppliers, independent professionals, and business visitors. Visa applications will still follow existing immigration procedures and conditions, ensuring applicants meet specific requirements.
Google's use of press by AI chatbot may infringe copyright rules, EU court adviser says
A recent advisory from a leading legal authority in Europe highlights that press publications can sometimes violate copyright laws. The Advocate General emphasized that while copyright covers unique expressions, using such material for the development of large language models may fall under the text and data mining exception. This advisory is part of a legal challenge brought by Like Company against Google.
From GST to e-invoicing: Closing the loop on Digital India
India has already built the rails. It is time to let the invoice travel on them.
Meta halts new business terms after backlash over data scraping and AI use
Meta has postponed the rollout of new terms affecting its business accounts due to significant backlash. Critics claimed these changes could lead to unauthorized data scraping and unfair competition against news publishers. A Norwegian court granted an injunction on the terms, highlighting concerns over Meta's market dominance. The U.K. competition authority has also initiated an investigation into these new business conditions.
IKEA store in Belgium hit by fridge cyberattack; refrigeration systems impacted as supermarkets across Europe face issues
IKEA's store in Mons experienced temperature rises in refrigeration systems due to a cyberattack. Several European supermarkets, including Carrefour and Coop, also reported similar issues affecting their refrigeration control systems. A broader cyberattack targeted grocery retailers across Belgium, Estonia, Finland, Luxembourg, and Sweden, leading to food waste concerns. Investigations are ongoing regarding the causes and potential future impacts on food supplies.
Out of Europe? India's steel MSMEs battle data gaps, rising cost and EU's carbon wall
Smaller Indian steel exporters say they are struggling to obtain emissions data from raw-material suppliers and bear the cost of carbon accounting and verification under the EU’s carbon border rules.
China trade accord with Swiss bucks wider trend towards protectionism
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Swiss President Guy Parmelin are set to sign a significant trade deal. The accord offers Switzerland extensive market access to China, enhancing the trade relationship between the two nations. This agreement notably contrasts with increasing trade barriers established by the United States and the European Union. Swiss officials believe this deal will provide stability in a volatile global trade environment.
Denmark to launch new work permit scheme in 2027; sets DKK 322,000 as the minimum salary
Denmark is set to roll out a fresh work permit scheme for international workers from January 1, 2027. To be eligible, foreign workers must hold jobs that adhere to sanctioned collective agreements and fulfill salary standards. Employers are required to gain certification to join this initiative and affirm compliance with said agreements.
Indian industry has become aware of carbon emissions, says CII’s Narayan Sethuramon
Indian industry is becoming aware of the impact of European carbon emissions regulations on their competitiveness. The expected India-EU Free Trade Agreement will create opportunities for growth in the coming years. Different categories of buyers are emerging, with some looking to diversify sources away from China. Key sectors such as textiles and defense are poised to benefit from these trade dynamics.
India to emerge as major exporter to China, ASEAN, get edge in US trade pact, says Piyush Goyal
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted India's potential to expand exports to China and ASEAN. Negotiations are underway for a trade pact with the United States that could provide India a comparative advantage. The country is also working towards an Investment Protection Agreement with the European Union. Goyal indicated that discussions for preferential trade agreements are progressing with multiple countries and groups.
Europe needs to better prepare for warmer temperatures: European Union
The European Union on Tuesday warned of the need to better prepare for a feared 3C rise in global warming as it unveiled new rules to force member states to act. The EU remains committed to limit global warming to 1.5C, but European climate chief Wopke Hoekstra warned "it would be unwise not to prepare for the scenarios" during a press conference.
EU can learn from India on cutting regulatory burden, says Piyush Goyal as Dutch minister rules out CBAM rethink
Piyush Goyal addressed the India-Netherlands Business Forum, highlighting India's deregulation efforts to reduce burdens on businesses. He asserted that the EU could learn from India's successful approach to regulatory matters. Dutch Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma acknowledged the importance of necessary regulations but emphasized the need to review those that hinder trade. He reiterated that climate and product safety regulations are crucial for European consumers.
EU carbon tax: Piyush Goyal asks Europe not to 'invite disaster' or 'shoot themselves in the foot'
Goyal said the EU had accumulated around 75-77 regulations, arguing that repeated additions were increasing the compliance burden on businesses and making them less competitive in global markets.
Privacy group files complaints against Scale AI over alleged worker surveillance
The European digital privacy group, noyb, has launched several complaints against Scale AI across multiple nations, claiming the company improperly surveilled freelance workers engaged in AI data tasks. Investigative findings highlighted concerning tracking practices, including keystroke logging and persistent identity verification. Moreover, the use of game-like rewards has drawn prior regulatory attention. Freelancers reported challenges accessing their data, with requests often ignored by Outlier.
India-Germany trade can surge 10-fold, says Piyush Goyal
India-Germany bilateral trade is expected to increase significantly, with aims of reaching 310 billion from 31 billion. Both countries are focused on co-creating and leveraging their complementary strengths for economic growth. The India-EU free trade agreement is anticipated to be signed soon and will facilitate mutual benefits. Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized the importance of trust and cooperation between the nations.
Berlin Global Dialogue: EU inviting disaster through carbon tax, says Piyush Goyal
Piyush Goyal expressed concerns over the EU's carbon tax and numerous regulations impacting their steel industry. He warned that these measures could lead to increased costs and decreased competitiveness for EU businesses. Goyal highlighted that the high import duties and standards could harm the economy and raise the cost of living. He mentioned the reciprocal nature of trade regulations in response to the EU's actions.
Domestic cos need strategic approach to tap India-Europe FTA gains: FICCI
Indian companies must adopt a strategic approach to fully leverage the European free trade agreement benefits, as tariff concessions alone may not suffice. The focus should be on product quality, market penetration, and building significant relationships with European buyers. Compliance with European standards will be crucial for export success, particularly for small enterprises.
Booking.com targeted in EU investigation into phishing scams, fraudulent listings
The Commission, which is the EU tech and competition enforcer, said it opened an investigation following a preliminary probe and after analysing risk assessment reports submitted by Booking.com this year and the previous three years.
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