Panzerdad

YouTube has publicly pushed back against the UK government’s decision to include the platform in a planned ban on social media access for under-16s. The company says YouTube is more than just social media, it’s a useful place where kids and teens learn, watch educational videos, and explore their interests. YouTube called itself a “vital resource” The UK government says the ban aims to protect young people from harmful content But YouTube argues that banning kids from the platform could push them to less safe websites instead.

'Stop Killing Games' has failed to secure new EU legislation despite having 1.3 million signatures The EU says it “cannot propose a legal obligation” requiring publishers to keep games playable after they stop being sold commercially

In his January 2025 speech to the World Economic Forum, Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez laid out the plan to use digital ID to end anonymity online, under the guise of protecting minors from "inappropriate content". "I propose putting an end to anonymity on social media." "We are allowing people to roam freely on social networks without linking their profiles to a real identity." "This is paving the way for misinformation, hate speech, and cyber harassment... It is allowing people to act without being held accountable for their actions." "In a democracy, citizens have the right to privacy, not to anonymity or impunity." "That is why I believe we must... force all these platforms to link every user account to an European digital identity wallet." "This is the only way to really ensure that minors do not access inappropriate content."

"You're just going to have to bear with me on this..." Technology Secretary Liz Kendall promises to come back with a solution to the social media ban's VPN get-around.

🚨 BREAKING : Could Keir Starmer’s under-16 social media ban breach Article 8 of the ECHR? Some people have claimed that the ban will directly breach privacy laws/rights that come from the European Convention on Human Rights.

1.3 MILLION PEOPLE ASKED THE EU TO STOP COMPANIES FROM DELETING GAMES THEY PAID FOR. THE ANSWER WAS NO. The "Stop Killing Games" initiative wanted one thing: when publishers pull the plug, don't let them remotely destroy copies people already bought. The European Commission's official response: - It will not require publishers to keep games playable - says forcing them would go too far - Reason given: publishers' copyright and IP rights come first. Your purchase comes second. - The solution: a voluntary code of conduct, developed together with the same industry that kills games - Plus an awareness campaign reminding you of the consumer rights you supposedly already have 1.3 million signatures. Years of work. Multiple hearings. And the part that says everything: according to the campaign, Ubisoft got a seat at a closed-door meeting with the Commission before the decision. The 1.3 million people who signed did not. Publishers can still brick your purchase whenever they feel like it. If buying still isn't owning, then at least now it's official.

🚨🇪🇺 La Comisión Europea responde oficialmente a Stop Killing Games ❌ No sé propondrá, por ahora, una ley que obligue a los videojuegos a ser jugables para siempre tras el fin de su soporte, alegan problemas con las propiedades intelectuales. ✅ Pero trabajarán con la industria y asociaciones de consumidores para establecer un código de conducta sobre el "fin de vida" de los videojuegos y para reforzar la protección de los consumidores.

'Stop Killing Games' has failed to secure new EU legislation despite having 1.3 million signatures The EU says it “cannot propose a legal obligation” requiring publishers to keep games playable after they stop being sold commercially