In today’s Digest we look at Australia’s eSafety Commission warning of ‘major gaps’ in the enforcement of the country’s under 16 social media ban, California defying Trump’s demands on AI with the introduction of a new executive order, and Disney+ striking its latest European deal with Italy’s Rai.

Meta, TikTok, and YouTube under investigation for failure to comply with Australia’s social media ban 

Australia’s push to enforce its under-16 social media ban is intensifying, as the eSafety Commission warns major platforms are falling short of legal requirements. The Commission’s inaugural report on the matter has revealed that TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube show “major gaps” in enforcing the law designed to keep children under 16 off their platforms. 

In a survey of 900 Australian parents, 31% revealed that their children still maintained at least one social media account following the ban, down from 49% before the law took effect in December. Of the  users aged under 16 who previously had accounts on Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok, roughly 70% retained access despite the restrictions, underscoring these gaps in enforcement.

eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant signalled a shift towards stricter enforcement, warning that companies could face fines if they fail to take “reasonable steps” to comply. The regulator highlighted persistent shortcomings, including systems that redirect underage users back into age-verification flows even after they have declared themselves under 16, and a lack of accessible tools for reporting suspected child accounts.

California defies Trump on AI demands

California is moving ahead with stringent AI regulations, directly challenging President Trump’s push for minimal oversight. This week, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Executive Order N-5-26 to ensure AI technologies are deployed responsibly and safely. 

Companies wanting to do business with the state will have to develop AI policies that prevent the dissemination of exploitation or distribution of illegal content. Firms will also need to demonstrate measures against harmful bias, unlawful discrimination, detention, and surveillance, while following best practices for watermarking AI-generated or manipulated content.

Trump’s December AI framework explicitly discouraged state-level regulation, warning that “excessive state regulation thwarts” US AI companies’ ability to innovate. His executive order also directed the Justice Department to create an “AI Litigation Task Force” to challenge state regulations. By moving forward with this legislation, California is not only asserting state authority over AI governance but also positioning itself as a national leader in responsible AI oversight, signaling that public safety and civil liberties will take precedence over a federally deregulated approach.

Disney+ strikes deal with Italy’s Rai

Disney+ is further expanding its European partnership portfolio, striking a deal with Italy’s Rai. Under the pact with Rai’s commercial arm, Rai Com, select shows will appear on Disney+ the day after airing on Rai 2. The streamer will feature recent Italian hits such as Braccialetti Rossi and the docu-reality series Il Collegio, complementing Disney+ originals like The Lions of Sicily and This Is Not Hollywood.

The partnership builds on Disney+’s wider European strategy, following previous agreements with RTVE in Spain, the UK’s ITV, and Germany’s ZDF. According to Karl Holmes, general manager of Disney+ EMEA, the collaboration with Rai will bring Disney+ customers in Italy an even broader selection of local shows.