Governance, Regulation, Legislation, Geostrategies

UN warns of AI’s growing environmental footprint

(DigWatch) As AI continues to reshape economies, industries and daily life, a new report from the United Nations University (UNU) highlights the environmental challenges associated with its rapid adoption. While discussions often focus on greenhouse gas emissions linked to AI systems, researchers argue that the technology’s impact on water resources, land use and electronic waste deserves equal attention. According to the report, data centres supporting AI applications could consume up to 945 terawatt-hours of electricity annually by 2030. Beyond electricity demand, AI-related water consumption could reach levels equivalent to the annual household needs of 1.3 billion people, while the land footprint associated with AI infrastructure may exceed 14,500 square kilometres. – https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/06/1167658

Spain calls for United Nations Action on children’s digital rights

(DigWatch) Spain has proposed the creation of a permanent multilateral working group within the UN to strengthen the regulation of digital environments and improve protections for children online. The proposal was presented by Minister of Youth and Childhood, Sira Rego, during a ministerial roundtable at the Global Alliance of Pioneer Countries to End Violence Against Children in Turin. According to Rego, stronger international cooperation is needed to regulate digital environments and protect children’s rights in response to abuses by major technology platforms. She said protecting children online requires regulations, rules, and control mechanisms that safeguard their rights and freedoms. – https://dig.watch/updates/spain-calls-un-action-on-childrens-digital-rights

US unveils new strategy to accelerate AI adoption in national security

(DigWatch) The Trump administration has issued a new National Security Presidential Memorandum aimed at accelerating the adoption of AI across the US national security apparatus. According to the White House, the framework is intended to ensure that military personnel, intelligence professionals and national security agencies have access to advanced AI systems while maintaining accountability and operational control. The memorandum directs federal agencies to expand the use of commercial and open-source AI technologies in support of national security missions. It also calls for investment in next-generation secure computing infrastructure capable of supporting increasingly advanced AI models and computational workloads. – https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2026/06/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-signs-historic-directive-on-ai-in-the-national-security-enterprise/

New York passes child protection law targeting AI companion chatbots

(DigWatch) New York State has approved legislation aimed at strengthening protections for minors interacting with AI chatbots, marking one of the first targeted regulatory efforts focused on AI companion technologies. The bill, known as S9051B, introduces restrictions on chatbot features that may encourage harmful emotional dependence or unsafe behaviour among young users. The law prohibits AI systems from presenting themselves as real or fictional human beings in ways that could mislead minors and restricts outputs that encourage self-harm, disordered eating or other harmful behaviour. The legislation specifically targets design features that may foster emotional dependency between children and AI systems, reflecting growing concerns over their potential psychological effects. – https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/kristen-gonzalez/senator-kristen-gonzalez-prioritizes-safety-young

Europe urgently needs cohesion on ‘high-risk’ technology vendors

(Natasha Buckley, Jamie MacColl – Euractiv) The pushback by some European capitals against the proposed amendments to the EU’s Cyber Security Act is now well underway. Last week, reporting by Bloomberg suggested that government officials from Spain and Germany are resisting the EU Commission’s plans to remove Chinese “high-risk” technology vendors from Europe’s critical infrastructure.  The proposed amendments, which would centralise powers within the Commission itself to assess, designate and restrict “high-risk” vendors in 18 sectors – an ambitious undertaking – will likely be challenging and costly for national governments to implement. In some strategic technologies, Chinese companies have surpassed their Western counterparts and sell superior products at a lower price. – https://www.euractiv.com/opinion/europe-urgently-needs-cohesion-on-high-risk-technology-vendors/

China’s AI ambitions face a capital constraint

(Hadley Spadaccini – East Asia Forum) China is producing competitive artificial intelligence, but its financial system may become a major constraint. Strict capital controls limit how Chinese AI companies raise money, expand internationally and attract global investors. When firms try to work around these constraints through offshore restructuring or foreign acquisitions, regulatory intervention can obstruct exit pathways and increase investor uncertainty. Combined with US chip export restrictions, these pressures risk confining Chinese AI firms to a narrower domestic path, while companies with greater freedom to deploy capital globally may hold the long-term advantage. – https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/06/06/chinas-ai-ambitions-face-a-capital-constraint/

UNICEF warns of AI risks to child online safety

(DigWatch) UNICEF Vietnam has warned that rapid advances in AI are creating new risks for child online safety, including AI-generated child sexual abuse material and deepfakes. The UNICEF Vietnam Representative, Silvia Danailov, issued a warning to mark International Children’s Day and Vietnam’s Month of Action for Children, which is held under the theme ‘Happy, safe and confident children in the digital world.’ – https://www.unicef.org/vietnam/press-releases/artificial-intelligence-should-not-come-cost-childrens-safety

EU launches digital energy system initiatives for data centres and AI grids

(DigWatch) The EU policymakers and high-level industry representatives have launched two flagship initiatives to prepare the EU energy system for a more digitalised future. The first initiative brings together data centre operators, the energy sector, and public authorities to support the sustainable integration of data centres into the EU energy system. In the presence of Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen, 14 European associations signed a Declaration of Intent, while six companies signed a Declaration of Support indicating readiness to begin implementation. – https://energy.ec.europa.eu/news/flagship-projects-ai-grids-and-data-centre-sustainability-2026-06-04_en

Japan and US deepen AI science collaboration under Genesis Mission

(DigWatch) Japan and the United States are expanding cooperation on AI-enabled scientific research, with Japan reported to become the first international partner in the US-led Genesis Mission. The five-year initiative is expected to mobilise around $1 billion, with funding reportedly split between the two governments. The collaboration will focus on using AI to accelerate research in advanced fields, including quantum technologies, nuclear fusion, biotechnology, and other strategically important areas. The Genesis Mission is a US Department of Energy initiative designed to use AI, scientific datasets, national laboratories, universities, and industry partners to accelerate discovery science, energy innovation, and national security research. – https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2026060500202/

Australia’s regulator warns of growing AI-powered sextortion threat

(DigWatch) Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has launched a public awareness campaign warning that criminals are increasingly using AI and other digital tools in sextortion scams. The initiative, titled ‘If sextortionists were honest’, uses generative AI to expose deceptive tactics used by online criminals targeting victims through dating apps and social media platforms. According to eSafety, more than 3,300 reports of sexual extortion were received through its image-based abuse scheme in 2025. Eighty-six percent of reports came from males of all ages, while 42% of all sextortion reports involved males aged 18 to 24. – https://www.esafety.gov.au/newsroom/media-releases/swipe-right-for-sextortion-esafety-unmasks-sexy-scam-artists

Dutch study explores how to scale AI across government organisations

(DigWatch) Dutch research organisation TNO has conducted an exploratory study examining how AI applications can be scaled across government organisations in the Netherlands. The study was commissioned by the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations because AI offers opportunities for public sector services and operations. The study supports the Netherlands’ Digitalisation Strategy, which calls for a more proactive government role in the development and adoption of AI. One option under consideration is an AI scaling facility that would support the reuse and further development of successful AI applications, helping deploy them more quickly and across a wider range of organisations. – https://www.nldigitalgovernment.nl/news/research-into-potential-strategies-for-effective-ai-scaling/

UK regulator launches AI-assisted review of gambling advertising

(DigWatch) The UK Gambling Commission has announced a new compliance initiative targeting gambling advertising, following an enforcement notice issued by the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP). The measure aims to prevent gambling advertisements from having a strong appeal to people under 18. From 11 June, CAP will conduct a monitoring exercise using its AI-powered Active Ad Monitoring System in collaboration with social media platforms. The review will assess whether gambling advertisements comply with rules intended to protect children and other vulnerable audiences. – https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news/article/ai-powered-content-marketing-sweep-to-protect-children

Canada launches AI for All national strategy to accelerate adoption and digital sovereignty

(DigWatch) Canada has launched AI for All, a new national AI strategy aimed at accelerating AI adoption, strengthening digital sovereignty, and positioning the country as a leading AI economy. Announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney, the strategy combines proposed legislation, investments, and programmes intended to ensure AI is adopted responsibly and benefits businesses, workers, students, and communities across Canada. – https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2026/06/04/prime-minister-carney-launches-ai-all-canadas-new-national-artificial

OECD launches AI Policy Toolkit for governments

(DigWatch) The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has launched the AI Policy Toolkit, a practical guide intended to help governments translate AI principles into policy action. Released by the OECD under the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence, the first version is designed as a non-prescriptive resource for policymakers working across the AI policy cycle. Building on the OECD AI Principles, the toolkit is intended to help governments identify policy priorities, compare international approaches and adapt guidance to national circumstances. The platform incorporates AI-powered semantic search to help users identify relevant policy examples and practical approaches drawn from real-world experience. – https://oecd.ai/en/wonk/the-oecd-ai-policy-toolkit-better-ai-policies-for-better-lives

Brazil’s telecom regulator adopts AI governance framework

(DigWatch) Brazil’s telecommunications regulator, Anatel, has approved a new AI governance policy aimed at ensuring the ethical, secure, and transparent use of AI across its regulatory and administrative activities. The framework positions the agency among public institutions in Brazil, proactively addressing the challenges and opportunities of AI-driven transformation. Developed by the agency’s IA.lab research group, the policy establishes principles including human oversight, transparency, data security and the protection of fundamental rights. It also creates a permanent forum to monitor AI use, assess risks, and support decision-making, ensuring AI complements rather than replaces human judgment in regulation. – https://dig.watch/updates/brazil-ai-governance-framework

RCC meeting focuses on AI, roaming and regional connectivity

(DigWatch) The Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communications and the CIS Coordination Council for Informatization held a joint meeting in St Petersburg on 5 June, bringing together communications officials, international organisations and industry representatives. The meeting was chaired by Sherzod Shermatov, Minister of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan, in his role as Chair of the RCC Board of Heads of Communications Administrations and the CIS Coordination Council. Participants discussed preparations for the 2026 International Telecommunication Union Plenipotentiary Conference in Doha, the development of non-geostationary orbit communication systems, interstate roaming across RCC and CIS countries, IT parks, start-ups and regional cooperation in communications and information technologies. – https://en.rcc.org.ru/events-copy/sobytiya-copy_1546.html

China launches a major 6G pilot programme to accelerate future connectivity

(DigWatch) China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has launched a ministry-provincial collaborative pilot programme to advance 6G innovation and development. The initiative is designed to support future commercial deployment of next-generation communications technologies and strengthen the country’s 6G industrial ecosystem. The programme focuses on advancing frontier 6G technologies and deepening the integration of communications networks with AI, satellite internet, and wireless sensing. It will also accelerate research and development of 6G base stations, core network equipment, terminals, chips, and operating systems. – https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202606/05/content_WS6a22522ac6d00ca5f9a0b687.html

UK project tests how legal data can support AI use in government

(DigWatch) The UK Government Digital Service has highlighted data maturity as a key requirement for preparing public sector data for AI use. The findings come from a project conducted with The National Archives, part of GDS’s wider work to ensure public sector data is managed as a strategic national asset. During a discovery phase completed in April 2026, the organisations assessed whether legal data, including legislation and case law, could be prepared for AI applications. The work focused on governance, data quality, organisational readiness, and the risks of exposing government data to AI systems, rather than building a specific AI tool. – https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2026/06/04/data-maturity-the-foundation-for-ai-ready-public-sector-data/

Russian State Duma advances crypto licensing bill in first reading

(DigWatch) Russia’s State Duma has approved the first reading of draft law No. 1194918-8, ‘On Digital Currency and Digital Rights’, moving the country closer to a formal legal framework for cryptocurrency activity. The bill would establish a legal framework for the circulation of digital currencies in Russia and vest key supervisory powers in the Bank of Russia. It would also reform parts of the existing framework for digital financial assets and digital rights. – https://dig.watch/updates/duma-advances-crypto-bill-in-first-reading

Hungary prepares rollback of crypto penalties

(DigWatch) Hungary is preparing a significant shift in its digital asset policy after newly appointed Science and Technology Minister Zoltán Tanács announced plans to dismantle restrictive measures imposed by the previous government. The proposed changes would remove criminal penalties for unauthorised crypto services, marking a clear reversal in national regulatory direction. – https://dig.watch/updates/hungary-prepares-rollback-of-crypto-penalties

Security and Surveillance

Meta Accuses NSO of Violating WhatsApp Court Injunction

(Pierluigi Paganini – Security Affairs) Last year, WhatsApp won a landmark case against NSO Group, the Israeli spyware vendor behind Pegasus, and secured a permanent court injunction barring the company from ever targeting WhatsApp or its users again. The court was unambiguous: NSO had violated US federal and state hacking laws. That should have been the end of it. It wasn’t. Meta investigated user reports and detected new targeting attempts linked to NSO, which were disrupted by the company. “We successfully disrupted NSO-linked social engineering attempts, after investigating user reports. They tried to trick people into clicking on malicious links to drive them to external websites outside of WhatsApp, similar to previously reported 1-click phishing campaigns linked to NSO.” reads the Meta’s announcement.”We also caught them creating test accounts and groups on WhatsApp, which we took down.”  – https://securityaffairs.com/193333/security/meta-accuses-nso-of-violating-whatsapp-court-injunction.html

UNC3753 Escalates: From Vishing Calls to Physical Office Intrusions at US Legal and Financial Firms

(Pierluigi Paganini – Security Affairs) Google Mandiant and the Google Threat Intelligence Group published a detailed report documenting an active extortion campaign carried out by the cybercrime group UNC3753 (aka Luna Moth, Chatty Spider, and Silent Ransom Group). The campaign targets US law firms, financial services companies, and professional services organizations. The group behind it, tracked as UNC3753 and also known as Luna Moth, Chatty Spider, and Silent Ransom Group, has been running this specific operation from January through May 2026, hitting dozens of firms. No ransomware. No malware in the traditional sense. Just phone calls. “UNC3753 leverages voice phishing (vishing) and social engineering deception techniques to achieve remote access into corporate environments.” reads the report published by Google. “Using pretexts such as data migration or invoice-related emails, the threat actors initiate phone conversations posing as IT support and convince targets to host screen-sharing sessions and download remote monitoring and management (RMM) utilities.”. The entry mechanism is entirely human. No vulnerability required, no zero-day, no brute-forced credentials. Just a convincing caller with a plausible story. – https://securityaffairs.com/193315/cyber-crime/unc3753-escalates-from-vishing-calls-to-physical-office-intrusions-at-us-legal-and-financial-firms.html

Meta AI Recovery Tool Flaw Exposed 20,000+ Instagram Accounts

(Pierluigi Paganini – Security Affairs) Meta’s High Touch Support tool, known as HTS, was designed to help Instagram users recover locked accounts: you provide an email address, you get a password reset link. The flaw was equally simple: the tool never checked whether that email actually belonged to the account being recovered. Anyone could request a reset link for any account, have it land in their own inbox, and walk straight in, provided the target hadn’t enabled two-factor authentication. The breach occurred from approximately April 17, 2026 until Meta pulled the tool in early June. That’s roughly seven weeks of an open door, and Meta only discovered the problem on May 31. The operation ran undetected for about six weeks before anyone inside the company noticed, which is a detail that tends to get buried under the headline number. Meta disclosed that 20225 Instagram accounts were compromised after attackers exploited the flaw. – https://securityaffairs.com/193307/ai/meta-ai-recovery-tool-flaw-exposed-20000-instagram-accounts.html

IoT Botnet C0XMO Adds Competitor-Killing Capability

(Pierluigi Paganini – Security Affairs) In March 2026, FortiGuard Labs discovered a new variant of the Gafgyt botnet, dubbed C0XMO, which is noticeably more capable than its predecessors. The malware spreads through CVE-2021-27137, a stack buffer overflow in the UPnP service of DD-WRT router firmware that’s been sitting unpatched on countless devices since 2021. The entry point is a crafted UDP packet sent to port 1900, exploiting how the SSDP parser handles oversized values in M-SEARCH requests. The attack doesn’t require authentication. – https://securityaffairs.com/193290/uncategorized/iot-botnet-c0xmo-adds-competitor-killing-capability.html

Microsoft urges stronger biosecurity safeguards as AI transforms biotechnology

(DigWatch) Microsoft has argued that rapid advances in AI and biotechnology are creating new biosecurity challenges that require stronger safeguards and closer cooperation between governments, industry, and the scientific community. The company said AI is accelerating scientific discovery across areas such as healthcare, drug development, and materials science, while also increasing concerns about accidental harm and deliberate misuse of biological technologies. – https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2026/06/04/strengthening-biosecurity-in-the-era-of-ai/

Frontiers and Markets

(James Gallagher – BBC) Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed an experimental vaccine using AI, marking what they describe as the first human test of a vaccine component designed entirely by AI. The experimental approach aims to provide broad protection against entire families of viruses, including coronaviruses with pandemic potential. The AI system analysed genetic data from multiple coronaviruses and designed a ‘super-antigen’ intended to help the immune system recognise and respond to a broad range of viral variants, including those that may emerge through future mutations. An initial trial involving 39 volunteers focused primarily on safety, while a larger follow-up study is planned to evaluate immune responses and effectiveness in greater detail. – https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crrpggegwe0o