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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 againsalgorithmic 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 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.
Sir Peter Wanless appointed Chair of pioneering charity, 5Rights Foundation
  • Press Release
  • Global

Sir Peter Wanless appointed Chair of pioneering charity, 5Rights Foundation

5Rights Foundation, the leading global charity advocating for children online, announced today the appointment of Sir Peter Wanless as their incoming Chair as Baroness Beeban Kidron steps into the role of Honorary President.
Reclaiming AI for the next generation: 5Rights unveils Children & AI Design Code 
  • Press Release
  • AI
  • Global

Reclaiming AI for the next generation: 5Rights unveils Children & AI Design Code 

5Rights unveils the Children & AI Design Code, a bold framework ensuring AI prioritises children’s rights, safety, and wellbeing in design and deployment.
New 5Rights report exposes how tech companies silence Trust & Safety teams
  • Press Release
  • Services
  • Global

New 5Rights report exposes how tech companies silence Trust & Safety teams

A new report from the 5Rights Foundation, Advancing Trust & Safety: Systems and Standards for Online Safety Professionals, launching today, provides a comprehensive look at the state of Trust & Safety (T&S) as a profession.
5Rights welcomes landmark UK legislation to protect children from online predators  
  • Press Release
  • AI
  • Sexual Exploitation
  • United Kingdom

5Rights welcomes landmark UK legislation to protect children from online predators  

The UK becomes the world’s first country to criminalise tools used to create AI-generated child sexual abuse material as part of four new measures to take on online predators.
Close-up of a young person on a smartphone that displays the Instagram logo, a simplistic outline of a camera, with the words "from Meta" underneath. The background is blurred.
  • Press Release
  • Sexual Exploitation
  • United Kingdom

Meta continues to ignore the prevalence of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) hosted and promoted on Instagram. So, we have urged Ofcom and the ICO to take action.
5Rights Youth Ambassador, Skye, attends the Summit of the Future in New York.
  • Press Release
  • Child Rights
  • Youth Engagement
  • United Nations

Press release – Youth Ambassadors welcome Global Digital Compact

Over 60 5Rights Youth Ambassadors from all over the World welcomed the commitment of global leaders for a safer digital environment for children.
A wider shot showing a person holding a smartphone with the Instagram logo displayed on the screen. The person’s hands are visible as they hold the phone, and the screen is in focus, while the background is blurred. This is the full version of the close-up shown above.
  • Press Release
  • Sexual Exploitation
  • United Kingdom

5Rights calls out Meta for ignoring AI-generated child sexual abuse material on Instagram

Child safety charity, 5Rights has sent a legal letter to Meta detailing how it has ignored reports of illegal child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on its platform, Instagram.
A boy sits cross-legged on the floor using a laptop. The screen displays the homepage of Poki.com, a gaming platform. The page shows a colourful grid of game icons, suggesting he's choosing a game to play. He wears a white shirt and jeans, with a yellow blanket and pillow visible in the background.
  • Press Release
  • Gaming
  • United Kingdom

Poki: a case study in service redesign for children

Poki, a free gaming platform with more than 60 million users worldwide, has overhauled its UK service to comply with the Age Appropriate Design Code with 5Rights’ support.
A young girl at home is recording a video with her smartphone to upload on social media. She looks happy and she is wearing brown overalls over a mustard-coloured shirt.
  • Press Release
  • Child Rights
  • European Union

Last minute DSA compromises risk leaving children with no protections online

EU risks leaving millions of children exposed to online harms. In a joint letter, 5Rights urges MEPs to strengthen the Digital Services Act to protect children from online harms.
A wider shot of the same scene, featuring a young person lying on a bed. They are wearing a navy blue polka dot shirt, with black headphones resting around their neck. The person is holding a smartphone, gazing intently at the screen while relaxing, with a laptop placed in the background on the bed. This is the full version of the close-up shown above.
  • Press Release
  • Data Protection
  • United Kingdom

Raft of tech changes to protect children as new rules come into force

With the Age-Appropriate Design Code coming into force, children in the UK will gain specific protections for their data.
A wider view showing the same scene. A person is sitting, holding a smartphone in both hands, with their thumb about to select the TikTok app. The person is wearing a white long-sleeve top, and the phone screen displays various app icons. This is the full version of the close-up shown above.
  • Press Release
  • Data Protection
  • United Kingdom

TikTok announcement shows impact of Children’s Code

TikTok announces new privacy protections for under-16s, setting accounts to private by default and restricting recommendations, aligning with the upcoming Children’s Code launching in September.