As global policymakers rush to regulate online child safety, the focus remains on platform accountability, design, and age-verification solutions. Yet major gaps persist: technical bypasses, data privacy risks, and the missing element of shared parental responsibility.
The EU’s new political ad rules, taking effect in Oct 2025, pushed Meta and Google to discontinue political ads in Europe. While meant to boost transparency, the situation risks aiding regimes like Orbán’s Fidesz, which dominate media and can drown out opposition voices.
Meta and Google will end political ads in the EU ahead of the TTPA’s 2025 rollout. The regulation’s broad definition of political advertising and extensive obligations for platforms have led to unintended consequences - not just for politicians, but also for think tanks and NGOs.
A new front has opened up in Hungary between fintech companies and the traditional banking sector. In June, the Government voted to introduce the transaction tax on fintech players, such as Revolut, Wise, and BINX.
Hungary’s digital ID system is under fire after it was revealed that its facial recognition tech is linked to PM Orbán’s son-in-law. Critics warn of surveillance risks, especially amid new laws allowing facial ID at protests and concerns over political misuse.
Hungary's government is forcing banks to fund ATMs in remote areas, calling it equal access to cash. Revolut, with no physical branches, is labeled a "free rider" for not contributing. Critics say this distorts competition and serves political interests over consumers.
"Global Gateway" is the EU’s €300 billion initiative to boost "smart, clean, and secure" links in digital, energy, and transport sectors worldwide, supporting emerging economies. Program's success depends on adopting new ideas, methods, and cutting bureaucracy to compete with global powers.
The Hungarians criticize foreign interference in Romanian elections via social media, likening Western platforms to CCP propaganda. This may result in stricter media controls ahead of its 2026 elections.
The BRICS coalition (currently including Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates) has been increasingly vocalizing its position on its own tech sovereignty.
5G coverage in the EU keeps growing, but consumer uptake lags: why people don't yet see the benefits, and why digital skills matter.
Poland has recently announced its plans to phase out Chinese equipment from its telecom infrastructure, particularly 5G networks, where Chinese companies like Huawei and ZTE have significant market shares.
Digital citizenship in Hungary has become a pressing issue as the government pursues initiatives to centralize and digitize citizens' personal information.
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