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Online child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) and grooming practices (manipulation aimed at exploiting and abusing people), now increasingly targeting younger children, have been proliferating at an alarming rate. In 2024, more than 20.5 million reports of suspected online child sexual abuse materials were detected. Reports related to AI-generated CSAM saw a 1 325 % increase, rising from 4 700 in 2023 to 67 000 in 2024. Most activities detected were hosted in Europe. In response to this situation, on ...

There has been a significant surge in the number of virtual private networks (VPNs) used to bypass online age verification methods in countries where these have been put in place by law. Protection of children online is high on the political agenda, and new legislative frameworks are being implemented that require a minimum age to access certain online products and services. The European Union's Digital Services Act has introduced recommended guidelines for age assurance, which apply to online intermediaries ...

Denmark has prepared amendments to national copyright rules to grant people more control over their voices and images in AI-generated deepfakes. It proposes a novel approach that would introduce new personality rights utilising copyright law. While there seems to be an appetite to tackle harmful deepfakes more effectively across the Union, there is also a debate about the most appropriate legal framework to do so and the need for new rights in the first place.

The European Cybersecurity Act adopted in 2019 established a permanent mandate for the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) and introduced a European cybersecurity certification framework to strengthen trust and resilience across the Union. Its implementation faced a fast-evolving cybersecurity landscape since the Act’s adoption, marked by a 150% increase in cyberattacks in 2024 and an expanding regulatory landscape, including the network and information systems Directive, the Cyber Resilience ...

Champions' League finals, the Olympic Games, World Cup football matches – millions of people worldwide watch them live. The nature of live events makes their economic value diminish after the event, when the result is known and the public loses interest, but real-time blocking of illegal broadcasting is challenging. However, together with the removal of illegal content, it appears to be a meaningful tool to limit damage for rights holders.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the way we look for information online. Search engines increasingly offer AI-generated answers that keep users on their platforms instead of redirecting them to external websites, and many are now using generative AI tools as search engines. This convergence has intensified competition between traditional search engines and generative AI platforms. At the same time, experts warn that such reliance may lead to informational dependency and a decline in users ...

Almost all young people in the European Union use the internet daily and are much more likely to participate in social network activities than the total population. Social media platforms have also become young people's top source for information on political and social issues: in a Flash Eurobarometer survey in 2025, 65 % of respondents aged between 15 and 24 said social media was their main source of information. Some EU Member States are considering laws banning social media use for under 15-year-olds ...

Quantum technologies are developing rapidly. They have extensive uses in secure communications, energy, healthcare, manufacturing, defence and security, and space, and may bring about a change of paradigm in technological capabilities. Their economic and strategic value makes them a high priority for EU strategic autonomy. The new Quantum Europe Strategy intends to establish the EU as a global leader in quantum technologies by 2030. This paper explores the potential paths the EU can take to establish ...

This study reviews the current framework to protect democracy in the EU in view of the forthcoming European Democracy Shield. It provides a comprehensive map of the existing instruments, while identifying and assessing outstanding policy challenges, regulatory gaps and implementation issues. The study also formulates recommendations to strengthen democratic resilience. The study was commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Justice, Civil Liberties and Institutional Affairs ...

Nearly all forms of serious and organised crime have a digital footprint and artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted fraud is a growing threat. Thanks to generative AI, fraudsters can replicate voices and create deepfake video calls and synthetic identities. Deepfake voice scams are escalating rapidly, posing a serious threat to both individuals and businesses, as well as legislative frameworks worldwide. Protecting against these threats requires a multi-layered approach using proactive and reactive ...