Beyond our Shores - August

On 1 August 2024, the European Union's landmark law on artificial intelligence came into force on Thursday, which Brussels says will drive innovation while protecting citizens' rights: In world first, EU's sweeping AI law enters into force (france24.com)
 

On 2 August 2024, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office published a call for 11 social media and video sharing platforms to improve their children’s privacy practices. The ICO warned that where platforms do not comply with the law, they will face enforcement action: Social media and video sharing platforms put on notice over poor children’s privacy practices | ICO
 

On 12 August , the Jersey Data Protection Authority announced the appointment of its new chair, Elizabeth Denham CBE, for a four-year term commencing 28 October 2024: Jersey Office of the Information Commissioner - Jersey Data Protection Authority appoints new Chair (jerseyoic.org)
 

On 17 August , the appointments to senior positions in the UK civil service of two individuals linked to the ruling Labour Party prompted calls for more transparency: More transparency is needed to support impartial civil service appointments | Institute for Government
 

On 20 August , the EU Ombudsman intervened to force EU border agency Frontex to improve its freedom of information processes: Statewatch | EU watchdog intervention forces Frontex to improve transparency
 

On 26 August, the Dutch Supervisory Authority (SA) fined Uber 290 million euro after 170 French Uber drivers complained to a French human-rights interest group about the transfer of their data to servers in the US. La Ligue des droits de L’Homme submitted a complaint to the French SA which forwarded it on to the Dutch SA which is the Lead Supervisory Authority for Uber: Dutch SA imposes a fine of 290 million euro on Uber because of transfers of drivers' data to the US | European Data Protection Board (europa.eu)
 

On 28 August, the messaging app service Telegram came under fire for refusing to join international programmes aimed at detecting and removing child abuse material online. It comes as the founder and chief executive of the app - which has more than 950 million registered users - remained under investigation in France: Telegram repeatedly refused to join child protection schemes - BBC News
 

On 28 August, the UK Information Commissioner’s Officer issued a reprimand to the Labour Party for repeatedly failing to respond to people who asked what personal information the party held on them – known as a subject access request (SAR): Action taken against Labour Party for failing to respond to requests for personal information on time | ICO
 

On 28 August, the BBC reported on calls by South Korea’s president to authorities to do more to “eradicate” the country’s digital sex crime epidemic, amid a flood of deepfake pornography targeting young women: South Korea faces deepfake porn 'emergency' - BBC News
 

On 29 August, Sky News technology correspondent Arthi Nachiappan wrote an editorial explaining why the pursuit of Pavel Durov, the co-founder of the Telegram messaging app, sets a new precedent:  Is Telegram founder's arrest a sign of the tide turning against social media companies and their bosses? | Science & Tech News | Sky News