France announced on January 27, 2026, its plan to replace American video conferencing services like Zoom and Microsoft Teams within government agencies with a proprietary tool named Visio. This move aims to enhance security, protect confidentiality, and reduce dependence on non-European technology, aligning with France's digital sovereignty strategy.
French President Emmanuel Macron has announced plans to fast-track legislation that would ban social media access for children under 15, aiming for implementation by September 2026. The move seeks to protect minors from online risks and manipulation, building on existing efforts to regulate digital platforms.
Turkish authorities have detained multiple journalists in Şırnak, Istanbul, and Nusaybin while they were covering pro-Kurdish protests. The detentions, which included both local and international reporters, have prompted strong calls for their immediate release from press freedom organizations like the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Germany is drafting extensive legislation to grant its Federal Intelligence Service (BND) significantly expanded surveillance and hacking authorities. The proposed changes aim to reduce reliance on U.S. intelligence and include powers for full-content communication interception, data retention, offensive cyber operations against foreign tech firms, and the use of 'federal trojans'.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against Nigeria's 36 state governors and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. The suit, lodged at the Federal High Court in Abuja, demands accountability for billions of naira allocated as 'security votes' since May 29, 2023, amidst persistent insecurity across the nation. SERAP seeks public disclosure of spending details and implementation reports.
Austria's government has announced new national measures to implement the EU's Common European Asylum System. These include extending airport detention for asylum seekers to 18 weeks, centralizing procedures in Vienna, and requiring a 'Charter of Values' with sanctions for non-compliance. The reforms aim to streamline migration management and deter illegal entry.
Roger Infalt, President of the Luxembourg Press Council, has voiced significant concerns over declining press freedom and rising self-censorship in the Grand Duchy. His remarks follow a pivotal November 2025 court ruling and coincide with ongoing government efforts to enhance journalist protections and access to information.
Opposition parties and human rights organizations in Argentina are pressuring Congress to reject President Javier Milei's Decree of Necessity and Urgency (DNU 941/25), which expands the powers of the State Intelligence Secretariat (SIDE) to include detentions without prior judicial order, raising concerns about constitutionality and potential for political espionage.
The European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES) commenced operations at the Lipcani–Radauti Prut border crossing in Moldova on January 9, 2026. This digital system aims to streamline border checks for non-EU citizens by electronically recording entry and exit data, including biometrics, replacing traditional passport stamping and enhancing border security.
Turkish cybersecurity researcher Hasan İsmail Gülkaya, 28, received an official thank-you letter from NASA for identifying four critical security vulnerabilities in the agency's systems. His findings, reported through NASA's Vulnerability Disclosure Program, allowed the agency to address potential risks, including access to executive meeting details and financial damage.
The German Federal Government has proposed significant reforms to the GDPR, aiming to shift data protection responsibilities from users to manufacturers and providers of standard IT products. This initiative, part of its Federal Modernization Agenda, seeks to reduce administrative burdens and enhance legal clarity.
The United Arab Emirates has issued a new federal decree-law to protect children from online risks and harmful digital content. The legislation mandates strict obligations for digital platforms and internet service providers, establishes a Child Digital Safety Council, and outlines caregiver responsibilities, aligning with the UAE's 2026 'Year of Family' initiative.
Lithuania has approved a new Intelligence Law, set to take effect on February 1, 2026. The legislation grants significantly expanded powers to the country's security services, including the ability to detain and search individuals and property without a prior court warrant, citing an ongoing 'Russian threat' as justification.
Recently freed political prisoners in Belarus, including Nobel laureate Ales Bialiatski and opposition figure Maria Kalesnikava, have reported that authorities confiscated their passports upon release. This action, described as 'forced deportation' by human rights advocates, hinders their ability to travel or live abroad, despite their release being part of deals for U.S. sanctions relief.
France's Interior Ministry confirmed a cyberattack on its email servers, leading to unauthorized access of sensitive files, including criminal records. Minister Laurent Nunez described the incident as 'very serious,' with investigations ongoing and one arrest made.
Denmark's government has officially scrapped a legislative proposal that would have restricted the use of VPNs to access geo-blocked content. The decision, announced by Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt on December 15, 2025, follows significant public and expert criticism regarding digital rights and online privacy.
The Government of India initiated a National Cyber Safety Awareness Campaign on December 14, 2025, aimed at educating students across the nation on critical aspects of online safety, digital responsibility, and data protection. The comprehensive program will utilize workshops, digital modules, and awareness drives to foster a secure digital environment for young learners.
Denmark, backed by 26 other European nations including the UK and Italy, is advocating for a 'modernisation of the interpretation' of the European Convention on Human Rights. The initiative, formalized in a joint statement signed in Strasbourg, aims to ease the deportation of criminal foreign nationals by re-evaluating Articles 3 and 8, which concern the prohibition of inhuman treatment and the right to private and family life.
European nations, members of the Council of Europe, met in Strasbourg to consider changes to migrant protection frameworks, including reinterpreting the European Convention on Human Rights. This move, influenced by mainstream parties adopting stricter policies and rising far-right sentiment, has drawn criticism from rights advocates concerned about weakened protections.
Portugal has updated its cybercrime law, introducing exemptions for security researchers and ethical hackers. Published on December 4, the amendment creates a legal safe harbor for good-faith vulnerability discovery under strict conditions, aiming to bolster national cybersecurity.
