EUROPEAN UNION DATA PROTECTION RULES
DK Shivkumar's dam push pits Karnataka & TN units against each other
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has called for expedited clearances for the Mekedatu reservoir project. This initiative has increased tensions with Tamil Nadu, where local parties oppose it vehemently. Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Manickam Tagore emphasized the state's determination to block the project. The ruling parties in Karnataka, however, support the initiative as essential for water management. Shivakumar’s remarks have prompted calls for dialogue to transcend state divisions.
Telangana implements gig worker rules, mandates minimum pay, social security benefits
The Telangana government has launched the Telangana Platform-Based Gig Workers Rules, which establish rights for gig workers. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy introduced the legislation during a ceremony with Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad. The new rules include provisions for social security benefits, minimum remuneration, and protection against arbitrary account deactivation. Shaik Salauddin from the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union emphasized the need for effective implementation of these rights.
Italy fines Meta $887 million over Android users' data access
Italy's data protection authority has slapped Meta Platforms with a staggering €805 million fine, following the unauthorized access of users' media. The issue arose from a Facebook app feature that exploited content from users' private galleries. Meta must disable this feature by default in 60 days and obtain separate user consent.
Govt opens registration for consent managers under DPDP Act; Rs 2 crore net worth required
The government has launched the registration process for consent managers under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act. Eligible companies with a minimum net worth of Rs 2 crore can apply online. The Data Protection Board of India will review applications based on set criteria. Registered consent managers will allow individuals to manage their personal data effectively. Further phases of data protection implementation are scheduled for upcoming dates.
Europe holidays face a confidence test as protests cloud winter travel outlook
As the year-end holiday season approaches, Indian tourists are less interested in traditional European destinations. Protests and unrest across several European countries have raised concerns about travel safety and convenience. Many travellers are considering shifting their plans to alternative destinations like Thailand and Malaysia. Travel companies report a notable decline in enquiries for multi-country European itineraries specifically. Overall, the evolving situation necessitates careful planning and consideration from holidaymakers.
Consent manager portal goes live sans DPBI members
Provisions concerning consent managers under the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025 came into effect exactly 12 months after the rules were notified. Set to be neutral intermediaries or single point of contact for individuals to give, manage, review, and withdraw data consent across multiple organisations, consent managers are emerging as the cornerstone of a compliance-as-a-service market that some estimates suggest could reach Rs 10,000 crore over the next three years in India.
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Consent manager portal goes live without DPBI members
The Data Protection Board of India has activated its registration portal for consent managers to enhance data protection. This initiative comes as the regulations outlined in the Digital Personal Data Protection rules begin to take effect. Companies are finding some guidelines unclear, particularly regarding conflicts of interest. The government is currently in the process of appointing board members for DPBI.
Europe to send a diplomat team to Ukraine talks as leaders push for a voice
European leaders are prioritizing a unified diplomatic presence in upcoming Ukraine peace negotiations involving significant parties. President Antonio Costa emphasized the need for a European representation, reflecting collective concerns about security. Discussions include possible candidates to engage effectively with U.S. and Russian officials. Involvement from nations outside the EU, including the U.K. and Norway, is also being considered.
Nvidia fallout throws spotlight on Southeast Asia's AI boom
US lawmakers from both parties are pushing for tougher restrictions on China's access to advanced artificial intelligence chips after the Huang scandal increased scrutiny of Nvidia's role in US national security.
Europe pushes for seat at Ukraine peace talks but lacks unified voice
Whether Europe should be represented by one person or a team -- and who should take on the role -- is being debated on Friday as leaders from the 27-nation European Union meet at a summit in Dublin. Senior EU officials and politicians have been suggested, but there is no consensus yet.
EU leaders seek to tackle challenges at first ever AI summit
European Union leaders gather in Dublin on Friday for their first ever summit on artificial intelligence, to debate how the bloc can catch up with the United States and China and tackle funding issues and other problems.
Platforms seek DPDP alignment in NCPCR’s child safety guidelines
In a meeting held by NCPCR on Thursday, the platforms said age-assurance and parental-consent mechanisms under the data protection regime should be harmonised with any NCPCR guidelines rather than being governed by parallel obligations.
India’s Russian fossil fuel imports hit record €6.4 billion in October: CREA
India was the world’s second-largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels in October, with purchases hitting a record €6.4 billion, according to CREA, as crude oil imports rose across major Indian refineries. Higher global oil prices also lifted Russia’s overall fossil-fuel export revenues to their highest monthly level since December 2022, despite Western sanctions and price caps.
EU threatens significant fines for unfair online trade practices
The European Commission is proposing a new Digital Fairness Act aimed at enhancing consumer rights. This legislation will impose fines on companies engaging in unfair practices such as deceptive advertising targeted at children. It seeks to ban dark patterns and other misleading digital strategies that cost consumers significantly. Companies will need to comply with these new rules to avoid substantial penalties.
Western Union terminates Intermex deal after approval snag
Western Union has scrapped its agreement to acquire US-based money transfer firm Intermex for about $500 million after failing to secure regulatory approval from California. The company termed the state's final merger conditions unacceptable, saying they would have required material changes to its business model. Neither company will pay a termination fee.
China is building inside Europe's trade walls, deepening its grip on critical industries
(The opinions expressed here are those of the author, the director of the Geoeconomics Program of the Center for the Study of Democracy)- China doesn't
Schengen travel rules to change in 2027 as Europe introduces new ETIAS authorisation
Travellers from visa-exempt countries visiting the Schengen Area will need a new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) approval when the system launches in 2027. The authorisation will not be a visa but will be mandatory for eligible visitors before travel. It will remain valid for up to three years, subject to passport validity, and allow multiple visits within the existing 90-day limit in any 180-day period.
Spain demands that TikTok suspend operations until child sexual abuse material gone
Spain's government has demanded that TikTok suspend its operations in Spain until it eliminates child sexual abuse material, it said on Tuesday, after a media report documented 1,183 explicit posts on the platform with millions of views.
EU to make addictive app features easier to switch off
The European Union will on Wednesday unveil new rules to crack down on influencer marketing, ban online features that trick Europeans and force platforms to give users the right to turn off "addictive" features.
Google agrees to addition privacy protections in Spirit Airlines data sale
The agreement clears the way next week for approval of Google's $10 million deal to acquire Spirit data to train AI models. The union said it had won a more rigorous de-identification process than previously planned and added significant employee data will be excluded from the sale, including health and medical information.
After fridge hacks, home appliances could be next, warns EU cyber chief
Supermarkets in at least 12 European countries were hit by cyberattacks in October and November, with France the worst affected.
China's trade surplus surpasses $1 trillion for a 2nd straight year, as exports surge 35%
Exports in October surged 35.2% from a year earlier, the customs agency said. Exports have grown rapidly this year, supported by high-tech goods like semiconductors and autos.
China’s trade surplus tops $1 trillion for second straight year as exports surge
China's trade surplus reached $1.04 trillion in January-October, crossing $1 trillion for a second consecutive year. October exports rose 35.2% year-on-year, while imports grew 41.6%, narrowing the monthly surplus to $105.3 billion. Strong overseas demand is supporting exports, but weak domestic consumption and rising trade tensions pose risks to the outlook.
China's trade surplus surpasses USD 1 trillion for 2nd straight year, as exports surge 35 per cent
China's trade surplus has surpassed USD 1 trillion for the second consecutive year as exports continue to rise significantly. Imports increased sharply in October, contributing to a narrowing of the monthly surplus. The trade situation presents challenges as domestic demand remains sluggish while foreign competition intensifies. Trade discussions are anticipated between the leaders of the US and China amid ongoing global trade tensions.
European Union sues IBM and two European companies over troubled border system: Report
The European Union has initiated legal proceedings against IBM, Atos, and Leonardo for delays in the Entry/Exit System. EU-Lisa reported these delays occurred during the system's development, not affecting its operation. The consortium was awarded a contract in 2019 for implementation and maintenance. In a letter from October 2021, the companies contested a fine imposed on them. They cited external factors like the COVID-19 pandemic as reasons for the delays.
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
Trump's midterm setback may put India under pressure for quick trade deal on US terms: GTRI
Amid electoral challenges, US President Donald Trump is likely to ramp up pressure on India to seal a trade deal. This potential agreement would require India to decrease import tariffs on US goods while the US keeps its tariffs intact. Analysts caution that such an arrangement may breach WTO MFN principles, undermining India's trade credibility. Additionally, compromising energy security and development aspirations could have serious implications.
Wockhardt seeks 14-year data shield for India-made drugs
Mumbai-based Wockhardt has struck success in its innovative research on a range of antibiotic drugs, bridging a global pipeline gap for difficult-to-treat infections. In May this year, the company secured approvals from Indian and US drug regulators for a breakthrough drug, Zaynich (cefepime + zidebactam), to treat complicated urinary tract infection, including acute pyelonephritis or severe kidney infections. Wockhardt has showcased six drugs to treat antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Govt mulls giving Cert-In enforceable powers to mandate patching
Last month, two critical flaws in the PHP programming language, discovered with the help of AI, created worldwide panic as hackers targeted the vulnerabilities millions of times, and led to governments including the US, UK, France, Germany and Japan taking down public websites. PHP powers 69.3% of websites worldwide.
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