Digest: Axel Springer Acquires Telegraph for 575m; Indonesia to Implement Social Media Ban for Under-16s; UK Delays AI Copyright Rule Decisions

"Axel Springer has agreed to acquire the UK's Telegraph for £575m, effectively blocking a competing bid from Britain's Daily Mail, according to sources familiar with the deal. The acquisition marks the first change of ownership in the 168-year history of the Telegraph. The sale process has been protracted: the Telegraph has lacked a permanent owner for about three years, after Lloyds Banking Group took control following unpaid debts by the Barclay family."

"The Indonesian government has announced plans to prohibit social media access for children under 16, citing risks including online cyberbullying, fraud, and internet addiction. Communications Minister Meutya Hafid revealed that high-risk platforms will be required to deactivate accounts belonging to users below the age threshold. Affected platforms include YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox."

"The UK government has signalled a delay to planned reforms that would have made it easier for AI firms to use copyrighted media for training. The changes, under review through a two-month consultation, faced strong opposition from the creative sector, with feedback reportedly failing to support any of the government's proposed models."

Axel Springer has acquired the UK Telegraph for £575m, ending its three-year period without permanent ownership following Lloyds Banking Group's control after the Barclay family's unpaid debts. The acquisition blocks a competing bid from the Daily Mail. Indonesia's government announced a social media ban for children under 16, citing cyberbullying, fraud, and internet addiction risks, with platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and others required to deactivate underage accounts in phased rollouts. The UK government delayed planned AI copyright reforms that would have permitted easier use of copyrighted media for AI training, after a two-month consultation revealed strong creative sector opposition to all proposed models.

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