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Keep up to date with the latest development on data protection, children’s rights in the digital environment and more with our news articles and press releases.

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The Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis (left), in conversation with 5Rights’ President, Baroness Beeban Kidron (centre), at the global forum on AI in Athens. The conversation was moderated by 5Rights’ trustee and Strategic Advisor for IEEE, Doctor Konstantinos Karachalios (right).
  • News
  • Child Rights
  • European Union

Greek Prime Minister urges EU regulatory action against algorithmic exploitation of children

In conversation with 5Rights’ President Baroness Kidron at the global forum on AI in Athens, Prime Minister Mitsotakis denounced the tech sector’s “unprecedented global experiment with the mental health of our children”.
A smartphone screen showing the Google Play and App Store icons side by side on a red-orange gradient background.
  • Press Release
  • Data Protection
  • Gaming
  • United Kingdom

Apple and Google expose children to data privacy breaches through misleading app age ratings

Hundreds of the most popular apps are being advertised with misleading age-ratings in Apple and Google’s app stores, leaving children in “the firing line” of targeted ads and unlawful data processing.
Leanda Barrington-Leach, Executive Director of 5Rights Foundation, delivers the opening remarks at a high-level ministerial panel during the 2025 UN Internet Governance Forum in Norway. She stands at the podium beneath the IGF and UN insignia.
  • News
  • Child Rights
  • United Nations

5Rights urges world leaders and tech firms to stand up for children at UN Internet Governance Forum

Opening the UN Internet Governance Forum’s ministerial panel on children’s online safety, 5Rights Executive Director Leanda Barrington-Leach challenged all stakeholders to face up to the reality of children’s current experience, and take bold action to reshape digital design.  
A wider view of a person sitting at a desk using a laptop, with the IEEE Standards Association website visible on the screen. The workspace includes a wooden table, a cup, and a plant in the softly lit background.
  • News
  • Age-Assurance
  • Global

Age checking systems can now be certified against 5Rights-led technical standard

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ new certification on age assurance is built on the 2089.1 standard, co-developed by 5Rights Foundation as part of a broader set of standards grounded in 5Rights principles. 
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A laptop is being used with symbols highlighted, including an AI icon and a trophy icon. A child is working on something in background
  • News
  • AI
  • Child Rights
  • Data Protection
  • United Kingdom

Inquiry finds UK Government must regulate GenAI and close online safety loopholes

The UK Parliament’s Science, Innovation and Technology Committee urges the Government to regulate generative AI tools and close critical gaps in online safety regulation, echoing calls from 5Rights and civil society.
A classroom of young students working on desktop computers, with educational software visible on the screens. A boy in a striped shirt and a girl in a yellow top are prominently shown, deeply engaged in a digital activity. A teacher stands in the background, observing the class.
  • News
  • Data Protection
  • Education Technology
  • United Kingdom

New UK data law: what does it mean for children’s privacy?

The new UK data law introduces significant changes in children’s data protection, including new codes of practice for EdTech, AI and automated decision-making, following years of advocacy by 5Rights.
A smartphone screen showing the Google Play and App Store icons side by side on a red-orange gradient background.
  • Press Release
  • Data Protection
  • Gaming
  • United Kingdom

Apple and Google expose children to data privacy breaches through misleading app age ratings

Hundreds of the most popular apps are being advertised with misleading age-ratings in Apple and Google’s app stores, leaving children in “the firing line” of targeted ads and unlawful data processing.
A wider shot showing both hands gripping a white video game controller, focused on a television screen with a blue-green blurred gaming scene in the background.
  • News
  • Gaming
  • United Kingdom

Research reveals “non-existent” enforcement of industry-led standards on loot boxes

New findings reinforce longstanding concerns from 5Rights about the inadequacy of industry self-regulation in protecting children from exploitative in-game purchases.
A wider shot showing a child in a yellow-and-white striped shirt and light blue jeans sitting outdoors, intently looking at and using a smartphone with both hands.
  • News
  • Child Rights
  • United Kingdom

UK Government sets unambiguous direction for a safer online world 

5Rights welcomes the UK Government’s final Statement of Strategic Priorities, confirming safety by design as a cornerstone of tech regulation. However, more must be done to deliver on the Online Safety Act’s promises.
A siloheutte of a hand holding a smartphone horizontally in the foreground. It displays red text, 'Ofcom'. In the background, an out-of-focus monitor displays the Ofcom webiste.
  • News
  • Child Rights
  • Online Harms
  • United Kingdom

UK’s regulator Ofcom launches the country’s first Children’s Online Safety Code

The launch of the first Code marks a significant development in creating a safe digital environment for children, but, it’s not job done.
A wider shot of the same teenage girl seated comfortably on a couch at home. She is wearing a rust-orange sweatshirt, light blue ripped jeans, and white over-ear headphones, focused on her laptop. A yellow knitted blanket and blue wall add to the cozy setting. This image is a fuller version of the close-up shown above on the same page.
  • News
  • Online Harms
  • United Kingdom

UK’s online safety regulator launches first investigation under Online Safety Act 

Ofcom begins first Online Safety Act investigation into suicide forum. 5Rights urges firm action to protect children and calls for strong enforcement against harmful online services.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a speech from behind a wooden podium adorned with the royal coat of arms. The setting features two large British flags in the background and a formal interior with wooden paneling.
  • News
  • Child Rights
  • Online Harms
  • United Kingdom

5Rights and Children’s Coalition urge PM to protect online safety in UK-US trade talks

More than 20 child safety organisations and bereaved families urge UK PM to protect the Online Safety Act amid fears it could be weakened in UK–US trade negotiations.
A classroom setting with a group of children engaging with digital technology. Two girls sit at a table in the foreground; one in a plaid shirt is holding a smartphone with a red cover, while the other in a white jacket is focused on her own smartphone. The table has school supplies, including a notebook and markers. In the background, three boys are sitting on a desk, interacting with tablets and smartphones. The scene is well-lit, with natural light streaming through large windows.
  • News
  • Online Harms
  • Services
  • United Kingdom

UK Online Safety Act takes effect as tech industry keeps shifting blame to parents 

As the Illegal Harms Code of Practice enters into force, 5Rights urges Ofcom to begin robust enforcement and hold tech firms accountable.
Schoolboy looking at the laptop of his classmate while sitting in a classroom with other pupils during a lesson. His classmate's face is in the top left corner in the foreground of the image but blurred, as the camera is focused on the schoolboy looking at his laptop.
  • AI
  • Child Rights
  • United Kingdom

UK Government’s AI ‘free for all’ harms children’s intellectual property

Proposed changes to UK copyright law leave children’s intellectual property vulnerable to exploitation from AI companies– if children can’t copy homework, why can AI copy them?
TikTok, Reddit and Imgur investigated for UK Age Appropriate Design Code breach
  • Child Rights
  • Data Protection
  • United Kingdom

TikTok, Reddit and Imgur investigated for UK Age Appropriate Design Code breach

The UK’s data regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office, has launched investigations under the Age Appropriate Design Code– marking a positive step forward for children’s data protection, but more is needed.
A young black girl on a laptop. She is smiling and waves at the laptop in front of her, which suggests she is on a video call.
  • News
  • Child Rights
  • Data Protection
  • United Kingdom

In a major win for 5Rights, the UK Government has introduced a legal requirement for online services to consider children’s rights and needs when processing their data, by design and default. This move emboldens the Age Appropriate Design Code, strengthening protections to children’s data.