RuneLex AI

Author: nslightowler

  • EU Fines Elon Musk’s X: €120 Million for Online Safety Failures

    EU Fines Elon Musk’s X: €120 Million for Online Safety Failures

    On 5 December 2025, the European Commission announced a major fine against X (formerly Twitter), owned by Elon Musk:

    “Today, the Commission has issued a fine of €120 million to X for breaching its transparency obligations under the Digital Services Act (DSA). The breaches include the deceptive design of its ‘blue checkmark’, the lack of transparency of its advertising repository, and the failure to provide access to public data for researchers”.

    The Commission stated that X broke three main rules:

    • “X’s use of the ‘blue checkmark’ for ‘verified accounts’ deceives users. This violates the DSA obligation for online platforms to prohibit deceptive design practices on their services”.
    • “X’s advertisement repository fails to meet the transparency and accessibility requirements of the DSA”.
    • “X fails to meet its DSA obligations to provide researchers with access to the platform’s public data. For instance, X’s terms of service prohibit eligible researchers from independently accessing its public data, including through scraping”.

    The Commission also said “X now has 60 working days to inform the Commission of the specific measures it intends to take to bring to an end the infringement of Article 25 (1) DSA, related to the deceptive use of blue checkmarks”.

    #DigitalServicesAct #OnlineSafety #EULaw #SocialMedia #DigitalLiteracy #Transparency #ProtectUsers #RuneLexAIRegulationExperts

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  • Australia Leads: World-First Social Media Law to Protect Kids

    Following up on our recent post “Australia Says No to Social Media for Under-16”, the conversation has intensified after Australian Communications Minister Anika Wells reaffirmed the government’s stance on 3 December 2025 in a powerful statement.

    She emphasised that this world-first law is about safeguarding children’s wellbeing and prioritising families over tech giants. Wells added:

    “As whistleblower Sarah Williams said in her testimony before the US Senate “social media platforms target teenagers with ads based on their emotional state” (…) if a teenage girl uploaded a selfie and then deleted it advertisers would see that as a good time to sell her a beauty product or a weight loss product because the act of deleting that selfie indicated she may not be feeling great about her appearance”. That is predatory behaviour. And we must act”.

    Compliance will be essential: effective from 10 December 2025, platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and X will be prohibited from allowing under-16s to create or maintain accounts, with fines up to $50 million for breaches.

    This landmark move positions Australia as a global leader in online safety, with the EU adopting a similar framework as we have informed in our recent post “Children should be at least 16 to access social media”: European Parliament”.

    #AustraliaOnlineSafety #SocialMediaBan #Under16 #OnlineSafetyAct #ProtectOurKids #RuneLexAIRegulationExperts

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  • EU4Health Projects Advance Digital Health – and Compliance

    On 3 December 2025, the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) spotlighted progress on EU4Health projects from the 2024 work programme, now moving into implementation. These initiatives strengthen Europe’s digital health ecosystem while ensuring strict compliance with EU regulations.

    Highlights include:

    – COMPASS-AI, designed to address regulatory and technical challenges for safe AI adoption in healthcare.

    – Projects supporting interoperable health systems and digital tools for remote regions, aligned with the European Health Data Space (EHDS).

    With €8.22 million in funding, these projects demand robust governance: interoperability, secure data sharing, and conformity with the AI Act for transparency and risk management. Strong compliance frameworks remain the foundation for secure, interoperable, and innovative healthcare across the EU.

    #EU4Health #HealthInnovation #DataGovernance #Compliance #EHDS #HealthTech #EURegulation #RuneLexAIRegulationExperts

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  • EU Launches AI Act Whistleblower Tool

    On 24 November 2025, the European Union introduced the AI Act Whistleblower Tool, “a secure and confidential channel for individuals to report suspected breaches of the AI Act directly to the EU AI Office, the centre of AI expertise within the Commission”.

    Reports can be submitted in any EU language, along with supporting documents, through a confidential inbox. Whistleblowers can track their case and respond to follow-up questions without revealing their identity.

    Why is this important? AI systems influence health, safety, and fundamental rights. By reporting risks early, whistleblowers help ensure AI remains safe, transparent, and trustworthy.

    While full legal protection under the EU Whistleblower Directive starts in August 2026, “(…) Until then, confidentiality remains the primary means of protection for whistleblowers. Meanwhile, some AI-related activities — particularly those linked to product safety, consumer protection, privacy and personal data, or information security — may already fall within the Directive’s scope and thus benefit from its protection”.

    Learn more and access the tool on the official EU page.

    #AIAct #WhistleblowerProtection#DigitalRights #Compliance #LawAndTech #AITransparency #EUInnovation #RuneLexAIRegulationExperts

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  • Three EU Consultations on Digital Policy Are Open – Share Your Opinion

    The EU is reviewing its Digital Decade Policy Programme (DDPP), which sets the roadmap for Europe’s digital transformation by 2030. Three consultations are currently open, and your input is essential:

    Survey for Industry, Civil Society & National Authorities

    Deadline: 19 December 2025

    Focus: Digital skills, infrastructure, and business transformation.

    Survey for Regions & Cities

    Deadline: 19 December 2025

    Focus: Local and regional priorities for connectivity and public services.

    Call for Evidence – Open to Everyone

    Deadline: 23 December 2025

    Focus: Feedback on the 2030 targets:

    1. “A digitally skilled population and highly skilled digital professionals
    2. Secure and sustainable digital infrastructures
    3. Digital transformation of businesses
    4. Digitalisation of public services”.

    Why participate? Your contribution could influence future legislative proposals amending the DDPP. Respond here: EU Consultation Portal

    #DigitalDecade #EUConsultation #FutureOfEurope #TechForAll #YourVoiceMatters #RuneLexAIRegulationExperts

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  • Ireland Secures Access to Cash for Everyone

    The Irish Government has announced that on 28 November 2025, new legislation came into force to guarantee that cash remains available across Ireland:

    “In recent years, the Irish payments system has become increasingly digitalised, yet cash remains an important means of payment for many people in society, such as the older generation or those who are digitally excluded. The Orders will ensure that cash is accessible in communities right across the country.”

    The law aims to keep cash available for everyone, even as digital payments grow.  It sets clear rules so that ATMs and cash service points (like bank branches and post offices) remain within reach across all regions. Banks that hold a large share of accounts and deposits—such as AIB, Bank of Ireland, and Permanent TSB—must maintain these services.

    The Central Bank of Ireland will monitor compliance quarterly and can direct banks to act if access falls short. This framework ensures fair, reliable access to cash for all communities, safeguarding choice and financial inclusion.

    #AccessToCash #FinancialFreedom #IrelandFinance #ConsumerRights #CashMatters #RuneLexAIRegulationExperts

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  • Sensitive Personal Data in AI Systems: The EU’s New Rules

    On 19 November 2025, the European Commission introduced the Digital Omnibus package to simplify and update EU digital laws, including the AI Act. A key change is the introduction of Article 4a, which states:

    Article 4a – Processing of Special Categories of Personal Data for Bias Detection and Correction

    “Providers and deployers of AI systems may process special categories of personal data referred to in Article 9(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679, solely for the purpose of detecting, monitoring, and correcting bias in AI systems, provided that:

    (a) such processing is strictly necessary and proportionate;
    (b) appropriate technical and organisational measures are implemented to safeguard the rights and freedoms of individuals;

    (c) data is deleted or anonymised immediately after the bias detection and correction process;

    (d) processing is documented and subject to oversight by competent authorities.”

    This means that, as an exception to the prohibition in Article 9(1) GDPR, providers and deployers of AI systems may process special categories of personal data -including racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious beliefs, trade union membership, genetic data, biometric data, health data, and data on sex life or sexual orientation-, for the sole purpose of detecting, monitoring, and correcting bias in AI systems.

    What do you think about this new approach?

    #AIRegulation #GDPR #DigitalOmnibus #AICompliance #EUAIAct #DataProtection #RuneLexAIRegulationExperts

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  • “Children should be at least 16 to access social media”: European Parliament

    On 26 November 2025, the European Parliament released a Press Note stating:

    “To help parents manage their children’s digital presence and ensure age-appropriate online engagement, Parliament proposes a harmonised EU digital minimum age of 16 for access to social media, video-sharing platforms and AI companions, while allowing 13- to 16-year-olds access with parental consent.

    Expressing support for the Commission’s work to develop an EU age verification app and the European digital identity (eID) wallet, MEPs insist that age assurance systems must be accurate and preserve minors’ privacy. Such systems do not relieve platforms of their responsibility to ensure their products are safe and age-appropriate by design, they add.

    To incentivise better compliance with the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) and other relevant laws, MEPs suggest senior managers could be made personally liable in cases of serious and persistent non-compliance, with particular respect to protection of minors and age verification”.

    Stay informed—this could redefine how young Europeans engage on social media and how social media companies ensure compliance.

    #EURegulation #DigitalSafety #AgeLimits #OnlineProtection #DigitalServicesAct  #YouthOnlineSafety #RuneLexAIRegulationExperts

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  • Australia Says No to Social Media for Under-16

    Effective 10 December 2025, Australia will introduce a significant regulatory measure prohibiting social media platforms from allowing individuals under 16 years of age to create or maintain accounts.

    As of 21 November 2025, the Australian Government has outlined which services eSafety Commisioner classifies as age-restricted social media platforms and which are not.

    Age-restricted:

    Not age-restricted:

    Stay tuned – as the EU has recently adopted a similar age-limit framework on 26 November 2025.

    #AustraliaOnlineSafety #SocialMediaBan #Under16 #OnlineSafetyAct #ProtectOurKids #RuneLexAIRegulationExperts

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  • New European Business Wallets

    The European Union is introducing the EU Business Wallets as part of its 2025 broader Digital Package. This initiative aims to provide companies with a secure, standardised digital identity recognised across all Member States:

    “(…) the package includes a digital omnibus that streamlines rules on artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity and data, complemented by a Data Union Strategy to unlock high-quality data for AI and European Business Wallets that will offer companies a single digital identity to simplify paperwork and make it much easier to do business across EU Member States”.

    European Business Wallets are designed to simplify compliance and administrative procedures, particularly for companies operating in multiple jurisdictions.

    However, it is important to set out that “Companies will not be obliged to use the European Business Wallets. The Regulation places obligations solely on public sector bodies to accept its core functions, while companies remain free to decide whether to adopt the wallets for their commercial operations or interactions with public authorities”.

    #DigitalBusinessWallet #Compliance #Cybersecurity #ArtificialIntelligence #LegalTech #RuneLexAIRegulationExperts

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