ONLINE CHILD PROTECTION
NCMEC urges India to avoid duplicate reporting of online child sexual abuse cases
The letter comes amid discussions following recent Supreme Court proceedings on the reporting and removal of child sexual exploitation and abuse material online. The court directed the government to strengthen the mechanisms for detecting and removing such material and reiterated that platforms must comply with reporting obligations under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
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.
Trump immigration crackdown continues after Republican midterm defeat as arrests reported across US
US President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown has continued despite Republicans losing control of Congress in the midterm elections, with arrests reported across several states. Immigration officers have detained migrants at hospitals, airports and during routine journeys, including two Venezuelan college students, an Argentine couple seeking asylum and an eight-year-old Haitian boy.
Snapchat starts disabling friend-finder feature for UK children, regulator says
Ofcom said the change would make it harder for strangers to contact children on the image-sharing social media platform, one it considers among the largest and most popular online services used by children in Britain.
Vaishnaw puts onus on social media platforms to curb online harm, stops short of safe-harbour clarity
Vaishnaw said social media companies could no longer remain passive intermediaries as the digital ecosystem evolved and must take responsibility for the harmful consequences of content circulated through their platforms, including cyber fraud and so-called digital arrest scams.
IT Minister Ashwini Vaishanaw emphasises social media's role in child safety, algorithmic transparency
Indian IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has stated that social media platforms must prioritise children's safety and accountability. He highlighted the courts and police as the current recourse for citizens facing online harms. The Supreme Court declared internet access a fundamental right for children, establishing the need for a national database against abusive content. Vaishnaw reinforced the importance of giving citizens a voice on these platforms for addressing grievances.

Delhi Police files FIR against Meta India over child sexual abuse material on its platforms
In response to directives from the National Human Rights Commission, Delhi Police has launched an FIR against Meta India, concerning the alarming presence of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material on its platforms. This follows previous summons from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. As a proactive measure, Meta India is now coordinating with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre to report child safety violations.

Delhi SIR: SC to hear plea on concerns over EC's Form 6 clarification on Nov 19
The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing on November 19 regarding concerns over voter enrollment in Delhi. Petitioners argue that the Election Commission's clarification allows unjust requirements for previously registered voters. The court had previously questioned the need for voters to re-register using Form 6. Advocates suggested that those previously enrolled should have alternative options for reinstating their voting rights.

Gold and cash worth over Rs 8 lakh stolen from locked First AC coupe on Deoria-bound train; family alleges no police help, Gonda cops demonstrate how cabin door opens from outside
A couple travelling with their one-year-old child has alleged that gold jewellery worth Rs 7-8 lakh and cash were stolen from their locked First AC coupe at Lucknow's Charbagh station. They claimed that repeated calls to railway helplines and three alarm chain pulls brought no immediate police response. A Zero FIR has been filed in Deoria.

Anthropic IPO rocks Indian IT; Why Walmart is in no hurry to list Flipkart
Anthropic’s US IPO filing sent Indian IT stocks lower on Tuesday. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.

Meghan Markle father controversy: Why are Philippines authorities investigating Duchess of Sussex father? Here is what Prince Harry's wife has to say about the matter
Thomas Markle Sr. was living in the Philippines earlier this year when he suffered a stroke and had his left leg amputated. That forced him to return to the U.S.

Viral video allegedly shows child consuming drugs in Punjab's Kapurthala, political leaders raise alarm
A viral video allegedly showing a child consuming drugs in Kapurthala, Punjab, has prompted criticism from Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Congress leaders over the state's drug problem. Badal accused the AAP government of failing to protect vulnerable children, while Congress leader Bawa Henry also raised concerns. Authorities reportedly arranged hospital treatment for the child, whose age and the circumstances surrounding the footage remain unverified.

Meta hit with a staggering $25 billion penalty in New Mexico privacy case linked to Cambridge Analytica scandal-here's what happened
Meta has been sentenced to pay a staggering $25 billion for consumer protection infractions in New Mexico. These violations arose from misleading data collection practices tied to the notorious Cambridge Analytica scandal. Upon the court's ruling, Meta's chief legal officer expressed plans to appeal. Attorney General Raúl Torrez highlighted the serious repercussions faced by powerful tech firms, following a series of lawsuits over data breaches and child safety issues.

Children have fundamental right to access internet, can't impose blanket ban on its use: SC
The Supreme Court affirmed the right to access the internet as fundamental for children. It ordered the creation of a national database to detect and remove harmful content targeting minors. The court emphasized the importance of content moderation while ensuring child safety online. It implemented measures to combat the increase in child sexual exploitation material on digital platforms.

Supreme Court seeks Centre's reply on social media curbs for kids
The petition, filed by Emerald Heights International School, Indore, and its director Siddharth Singh, seeks comprehensive safeguards for children using social media platforms.

SC seeks replies from Centre, NCPCR on PIL for framework to protect children from social media risks
The Supreme Court has sought replies regarding a petition from Emerald Heights International School. The petition demands a national framework to ensure children's protection from social media harms. It highlights risks such as grooming, cyber-bullying, and exposure to inappropriate content. The school’s plea includes regulations on age verification and parental consent for social media use.

Inside Google's Gemini safety strategy: Protecting children, verifying age and tackling AI misinformation
To tackle rising child safety concerns linked with AI, Google is taking proactive steps as children engage with chatbots. The focus is on ensuring age-appropriate interactions, encouraging parental oversight, and promoting responsible AI use. The upcoming Gemini platform will feature age assurance technology to evaluate users' ages based on their behavior.

Govt seeks expedited development of AI tool to detect child sexual abuse material online
The issue came up for discussion during Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annpurna Devi's visit to the office of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) here.

Online hate is stealing the joy from sport
Athletes are increasingly paying a psychological price for the anger of fans who mistake sporting disappointment for a licence to abuse. Coco Gauff experienced extensive online abuse after her match in Beijing due to a disrupted rally. This incident sparked discussions about the excessive pressure and scrutiny facing female athletes. The emotional toll on athletes is compounded by threats and humiliation, affecting their performance and mental health.
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