The government announced plans to strengthen children’s online safety, including amending the Crime and Policing Bill to bring AI chatbot providers within scope of the Online Safety Act 2023’s illegal content duties and introducing new powers in the forthcoming Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

The proposals come amid an ongoing consultation which is considering measures such as banning social media for under-16s, phone curfews, limits on addictive features like streaks and infinite scrolling, and potential VPN restrictions. Digital rights NGOs, such as Open Rights Group and Big Brother Watch, criticised the proposals for requiring all users to submit to unregulated age verification checks with privacy and security implications.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified before a jury in a landmark Los Angeles trial examining whether social media platforms deliberately design addictive features that harm children. The case, centred on a 20-year-old woman who says compulsive Instagram and YouTube use worsened her depression, is one of thousands of similar lawsuits arguing that tech firms’ platform design causes harm, potentially sidestepping traditional legal protections that shield companies from liability. The BBC, Guardian, New York Times, CNN, NBC News, AP News, LA Times, The Independent covered the story.

The Brett Wilson Media and Communications blog has an article examining the successful harassment claim in the case of Optosafe Ltd & Ors v Robertson [2026] EWHC 12 (KB).

Internet and Social Media

20 MPs have called on the ICO to shutdown gossip site Tattle Life after 16-year-old Princess Dickson died by suicide following years of alleged online abuse on the platform. The ICO confirmed it already has an ongoing investigation examining whether the website handled personal data lawfully and respected users’ rights to erasure or correction. While the ICO does not have the power to suspend the website or address criminal matters such as harassment, it said it can take enforcement action if breaches of data protection law are found. MLex has more information.

DLA Piper’s Privacy Matters Blog has an article examining Australia’s social media ban and exploring how it will be enforced. Mischon de Reya also has an article discussing whether a ban would work in the UK and examining the legal obstacles.

 Data Privacy and Data Protection

Two men have been convicted following the ICO’s largest-ever nuisance call investigation, which uncovered the theft and sale of personal data from over 400 UK garages to generate personal injury leads. Christopher Munro and William Chipoma deliberately took jobs to access and sell thousands of records, earning more than £86,000 combined, and received suspended prison sentences after pleading guilty to offences under the Computer Misuse Act and Data Protection Act. Their convictions bring the total prosecuted to 10.

The Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the ICO, overturning an earlier decision of the upper tribunal. The Regulator issued DSG Retail Limited with a £500,000 fine in 2020 following a cyber attack that compromised the data of at least 14 million people. The ruling confirms that companies must safeguard personal data from unauthorised access regardless of whether the stolen data could directly identify individuals.

Surveillance

Concerns about government surveillance have resurfaced after a Super Bowl ad by Amazon’s Ring and the FBI’s investigation into the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today host Savannah Guthrie, highlighted how doorbell camera footage can be accessed by authorities to track people. Although Guthrie’s Google Nest camera reportedly lacked an active subscription, the FBI released video from it, suggesting law enforcement may retrieve residual cloud data, though it remains unclear if a warrant was used. US Senator Ed Markey warned of potential abuse, urging consumers to discard their smart doorbells and Amazon to “immediately discontinue these dangerous features,” in an open letter. The Guardian, New York Times, 404 Media and The Conversation reported on the backlash.

Newspapers, Journalism and Regulation

The Competition and Markets Authority has warned that the proposed $3.7bn merger between Getty Images and Shutterstock could substantially reduce competition in the UK market for editorial images, potentially leading to higher prices for media customers. The regulator has welcomed comments on its interim findings before issuing a final decision about whether the deal can proceed. The Press Gazette, MLex and Reuters have more information.

Statements in Open Court and Apologies

We are not aware of any statements in open court or apologies from the last week.

IPSO

New Issued Cases

There no claims filed on the media and communications list last week.

Last Week in the Courts

The trial in the case of Baroness Lawrence and ors v Associated Newspapers Ltd KB-2022-003316 continued all week before Nicklin J. The Press Gazette has coverage of last week’s developments here and here.

There were hearings in the cases of Feldman v Gambling Commission KB-2024-003588  and Vuba Chemical Innovations Limited and another v Devall KB-2026-000293.

On 20 February 2026, the Court of Appeal handed down judgement in the appeal of Titan Wealth Holdings Limited & Ors [2026] EWCA Civ 138. The issue was whether the claim was wrongly dismissed on the basis that Hill J had no jurisdictional basis for granting the claimants an injunction to restrain the defendant from abusing the claimants’ legal team in interference with the conduct of the proceedings. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, holding that although the judge had the power to grant an injunction under the common law, the defendant’s alleged misconduct did not meet the threshold of seriousness to justify granting the injunction. Solicitors Journal has more information.

Media Law in Other Jurisdictions

Australia

On 18 February 2026, the Supreme Court of Victoria handed down judgement in the case of Metcalf v Wellington [2026] VSCA 13. Following the conclusion of defamation claim decided in favour of the claimant, the defendant sought leave to appeal, an extension of time and a retrial on the basis that the claimant had misconducted litigation by failing to discover numerous relevant documents. The court dismissed the applications, holding that the claimant did not deliberately omit relevant documents from discovery [77], the defendant was not diligent in raising concerns about the adequacy of the discovery process [78-87] and there was not a realistic possibility that the discovery of the documents would have changed the outcome of the claim [140].

Canada

On 17 February 2026, the Court of Appeal for Ontario dismissed the appeal in the case of Rahman v. Peel Standard Condominium Corporation No. 779, 2026 ONCA 108. The motion judge had dismissed the claimant’s defamation claim as an abuse of process and required him to seek the leave of the court before bringing future proceedings against the respondent. The Court of Appeal for Ontario upheld the dismissal of the claim, finding the claimant was attempting to relitigate issues previously decided, but set aside the portion of the order requiring him to obtain leave before starting future proceedings because the proper procedural safeguards for a vexatious litigant order were not followed.

Europe

The European Data Protection Board and European Data Protection Supervisor published a joint opinion, broadly supporting the European Commission’s proposed “Digital Omnibus,” which would simplify the EU’s AI Act, but warn that streamlining must not weaken fundamental rights safeguards. They raise concerns about expanding the use of sensitive data for bias correction, removing registration duties for certain high-risk systems and unclear DPA involvement in EU AI sandboxes. DLA Piper’s Privacy Matters blog has more information. Read the EDPB’s press release here.

Gabon

Gabon’s media regulator has suspended major social media platforms indefinitely, claiming that the spread of false information, cyberbullying and leaks of personal data were fuelling unrest and division. Internet watchdog NetBlocks reported that sites including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and WhatsApp were largely blocked by most providers, though the country’s largest telecoms firm is reportedly still allowing limited access. The move comes amid growing unrest with ongoing strikes by teachers and civil servants over pay and conditions. The BBC, Al Jazeera and AP News have more information.

Pakistan

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has halted trial court proceedings in a Rs10 billion defamation suit filed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif against jailed PTI founder Imran Khan. The case stems from Khan’s televised 2017 allegation that Sharif offered him Rs10 billion to withdraw the Panama Papers case, which Sharif argues was defamatory. The trial court had previously struck off Khan’s right of defence, prompting his appeal to the Supreme Court. Dawn, Geo News and The Nation covered the development.

United States

The BBC has asked a Miami federal court to dismiss the $10 billion defamation lawsuit brought by President Trump over a 2024 documentary, arguing he failed to establish defamation or violations of Florida trade practices law and that the court lacks jurisdiction. Trump claims the programme misleadingly edited his 6 January 2021 speech to suggest he incited the Capitol riot, while the BBC says the case is legally flawed and should be thrown out. Reuters, The Telegraph, The Times, GB News and The Mirror covered the development.

Research and Resources

Next Week in the Courts

The trial in the case of Baroness Lawrence v Associated Newspapers continues before Nicklin J.

Reserved Judgements

Various Claimants v MGN, heard 27-30 January 2026, 3, 5 and 6 February 2026 (Fancourt J)

This Round Up was compiled by Jasleen Chaggar who is the Legal and Policy Officer at Big Brother Watch.