TIKTOK DISINFO TARGETS POLAND
Poland has asked the European Commission to carry out a review of TikTok after the wildly-popular Chinese social media platform hosted AI-generated videos urging Poland to leave the EU – a narrative Polish officials described as "undoubtedly" Russian disinformation. Authorities in Warsaw cited linguistic indicators pointing conclusively to foreign influence, and the account hosting the content has since disappeared. Polish officials warn that the material threatens information security and democratic integrity, with Deputy Digitalization Minister Dariusz Standerski writing that it represents "a threat to public order and the integrity of democratic processes." TikTok, Standerski argues, has failed to meet its obligations under the EU's Digital Services Act, and has urged the Commission to begin a formal review. TikTok, for its part, has said that it has removed the offending content, and is now coordinating with Polish authorities. (Babl, January 15, 2026)
EURONEWS FACES FRESH SCRUTINY
In recent years, Euronews has emerged as a leading international news channel, as well as a potent competitor for outlets like Deutsche Welle and France24. But a new investigation by Euractiv warns that the outlet "has become a platform for authoritarian regimes," as its lackluster financing has left it increasingly reliant on problematic governments. The Euractive investigation documents that "even as it continues to receive millions of euros in EU support, Euronews has rebalanced its business model to become increasingly reliant on politically connected investors, lobbyists and commercial partnerships with entities linked to illiberal states."
"Internal sources suggest that Euronews' engagement with authoritarian regimes has become a pillar of its new commercial strategy, with the creation of subsidiaries in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan in the wake of commercial agreements with state authorities," the report details. The results, employees of the media outlet worry, appears to be an erosion of editorial independence as the chronically-indebted channel – whose total debt reached €103.5 million last year – seeks to survive despite mounting fiscal losses. (Euractiv, February 10, 2026)
MOSCOW MOVES TO CENTRALIZE CONTROL OVER NATIONWIDE COMMUNICATIONS
The Russian State Duma has moved ahead with legislation that would grant the country's Federal Security Service sweeping authority to impose nationwide communications shutdowns, while shielding telecom providers from legal liability for such service interruptions. Cast as a counterterrorism measure, the bill permits Russian authorities to suspend nearly all forms of connectivity, including mobile, wired, and satellite communications, under broadly defined security justifications. The proposal effectively codifies wartime emergency practices and forecloses legal recourse for citizens seeking compensation for outages. (Meduza, February 2, 2026)
TURKEY MOVES TOWARD TIGHTER SOCIAL MEDIA RULES FOR MINORS
The government of Recep Tayyip Erdogan is advancing proposals to restrict the access of minors to social media. A parliamentary report has recommended banning social media use for children under the age of 16 altogether, implementing mandatory age verification mechanisms, and requiring content filtering for users under 18. Additional proposals include potential night-time internet restrictions for minors and increased monitoring of video games and AI-enabled toys for harmful material. Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party is expected to formally submit a draft law on the subject soon.
Officials in Ankara have framed the measures as necessary to protect the country's youth from moral degradation and digital addiction. The initiative aligns with similar debates globally, including Australia's recent ban on social media access for children under 16 and parallel discussions across several European states. Turkey already maintains strict platform regulations, and companies that fail to comply with content and data requirements risk penalties such as advertising bans, bandwidth reductions, and fines of up to 3% of total global revenue. (Reuters, February 6, 2026)
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