The push follows a multi-agency review led by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), amid growing complaints from parents, educators and advocacy groups .

What is driving the concern?

The issue extends beyond gaming content to how interactions on the platform can evolve.

Roblox allows users—many of them minors—to create and interact in virtual environments with built-in chat and voice features. Regulators said these tools can be exploited by bad actors.

Officials outlined a pattern where harmful activity begins with contact inside games, then shifts to private messaging or external platforms where monitoring is limited.

Police have reported cases where children’s interactions on Roblox “spilled into more dangerous channels,” including exposure to violent content and potential grooming.

Lawmakers have also raised concerns over weak age verification and moderation gaps, which may allow such behaviour to go undetected at scale.

Why is this a priority now?

Officials point to the scale of youth internet use in the country.

Data cited by child welfare authorities show that 95% of Filipinos aged 12 to 17 are online, increasing the exposure of minors to digital risks.

“It's really harmful… it’s a ticking time bomb,” a Council for the Welfare of Children official said.

The review also follows a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to strengthen online child protection measures.

What actions are being considered?

The CICC earlier gave Roblox a deadline to respond to allegations involving illegal activities, including cases linked to child exploitation. Regulators warned that failure to engage could lead to access restrictions.

Telecom firms including PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications have said they are prepared to implement any government directive, including blocking access.

What changes do regulators want?

Authorities are pushing for stronger safeguards, including tighter age verification, improved moderation tools, and systems to detect attempts to move minors to external platforms.

They are also calling for closer coordination, with officials saying Roblox must establish a direct presence in the Philippines to respond more quickly to law enforcement requests.

For now, the platform remains accessible, but regulators say further action will depend on Roblox’s response and its willingness to address safety concerns.

The trend has been fuelled in part by Chinese-American creator Sherry Zhu, whose videos jokingly encourage followers to embrace what she calls the “Chinese baddie” lifestyle. Since January, thousands of posts have appeared under variations of the phrase, with users playfully claiming they have “turned Chinese."

While the content is often light-hearted, many view the trend as part of a broader shift in how Chinese culture is circulating globally — particularly through digital platforms and consumer products rather than traditional state messaging.

“Chinese-created cultural products can have global aesthetic appeal,” Dylan Loh, a specialist in Chinese foreign policy at Nanyang Technological University, told Global South World in an earlier interview. “It is not simply the fact that cultural products from the West have a complete monopoly or dominance over media and cultural entertainment.”

In recent years, Chinese brands and cultural products have found new global audiences. Collectible toys from Pop Mart, including the popular Labubu character, have gone viral internationally, while Chinese food chains and lifestyle brands have expanded overseas.

Loh said such trends illustrate a form of soft power driven largely by private industry rather than the state.

“These are the most authentic kinds of soft power because you see the absence largely of the state,” he said. Because they emerge through commercial appeal rather than official promotion, “ people do not consider or think that it is threatening or suspicious.”

At the same time, China’s government has long sought to promote a more positive image of the country abroad. According to Loh, the Chinese Communist Party sees soft power as part of a broader effort to counter the narrative that China poses a threat.

“Using soft power does not preclude using coercive measures,” he added, noting that China’s cultural outreach sometimes sits alongside more assertive foreign policy moves, including disputes in the South China Sea .

Whether Chinamaxxing represents a lasting shift in cultural influence remains uncertain. 

Loh said China’s soft power efforts have historically produced “mixed outcomes.”

The escalating conflict in the Middle East began after US-Israeli forces carried out preemptive military strikes on Tehran on Saturday, February 28, over Iran's nuclear programme. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was confirmed dead in the strike.

X said the new rule specifically targets AI-generated content about armed conflicts that could mislead users if it is not properly labelled.

“During times of war, people must have access to authentic information on the ground,” X’s head of product Nikita Bier said, adding that current AI technologies make it “trivial to create content that can mislead people.”

The Elon Musk-owned platform said it will continue updating its policies and product features to address the issue.

X said on Monday it would “continue to refine” its policies and product to ensure the platform “can be trusted during these critical moments".

The change marks a shift in the platform’s approach to content moderation since Musk completed his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter in October 2022 and later rebranded it as X.

Since Musk’s takeover, the company has removed several policies aimed at tackling misinformation, arguing that such rules amount to censorship.

Under the new policy , creators who repeatedly violate the disclosure rule could face permanent removal from the Creator Revenue Sharing programme, which allows eligible users to earn a portion of advertising revenue generated from their posts.

X said violations will be identified through Community Notes, the platform’s crowd-sourced fact-checking system, as well as through metadata and other technical signals embedded in AI-generated content.

At first glance, the phenomenon appears highly visual: teenagers wearing animal masks, mimicking animal movements or speaking about feeling connected to wolves, cats or other species. However, as the trend has spread, discussion has shifted from the imagery itself to the meaning behind it.

Those who identify as therians generally do not claim physical transformation. Instead, they describe a psychological or symbolic alignment with a particular animal, saying certain instincts, traits or emotional patterns feel central to their sense of self. For many, it is framed as an internal experience rather than a performance.

Public reaction in Latin America has been mixed, ranging from curiosity and support to scepticism and concern. Some see it as a form of adolescent self-expression amplified by social media, while others question whether it reflects a deeper or more lasting shift in how young people define themselves.

Specialists note that adolescence has long been a period of identity exploration. In a digital environment where online communities can grow rapidly across borders, new forms of self-description can gain visibility and legitimacy faster than in previous generations.

As therian identity in Latin America moves beyond viral content into wider cultural debate, the conversation increasingly centres on broader questions about personal identity: how it is formed, how flexible it can be, and how societies respond when emerging expressions of self challenge familiar categories.

Still, further action is under active review, signalling that the crackdown may not stop at web access alone.

What happened: 

What officials say:

Communications Ministe r Fahmi Fadzil said MCMC will act against content or app functions that violate local laws, including material deemed lewd or immoral, exploitative, abusive, fraudulent or threatening to public safety.

Why ban them now?

MCMC was merely responding to a parliamentary question from Nurul Amin Hamid on whether the government would work with app store providers to block downloads of LGBTQ+ dating apps, including Grindr, Blued and Growlr.

Strict LGBT laws in Malaysia

Malaysia has not cited a single, specific statute naming the apps themselves. But the Muslim-majority country has been implementing sharia law and content regulations that prohibit the promotion of LGBTQ+ identities to Muslims.

Under sharia law — which applies to Muslims in Malaysia — same-sex acts and sodomy are criminalised, though prosecutions are rare. 

A government task force has proposed amendments that would explicitly allow enforcement action against online content seen as “promoting the LGBT lifestyle” or insulting Islam, including material shared via apps and social media platforms.

Bigger picture:

Why it matters:

Website blocks are relatively easy to implement, but app store restrictions require cooperation from global tech firms. How Malaysia navigates that gap will shape the reach — and limits — of its online content enforcement going forward.

He indicated that the platform is being closely monitored, and further incidents could trigger a full block.

“Illegal gambling has migrated to Telegram,” Aguda said. “If we see one more incident, I will not care who gets angry. We will block these platforms.”

The secretary stressed that child abuse and sexual exploitation are “non-negotiable.” 

He said the department has also engaged with Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to tackle similar issues on its platforms.

Where Telegram is banned

Telegram has faced restrictions and bans in several countries, including China, Iran, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Germany, often over national security concerns.

The app’s co-founder and CEO, Pavel Durov, was arrested in France in 2024 over allegations that he failed to monitor criminal activity on the platform. He is currently released on bail and remains under investigation.

In the Philippines, the DICT has previously taken action against online platforms facilitating harmful content. 

In January, it temporarily blocked the AI chatbot Grok after users were able to generate manipulated images removing clothing from women and children . Access was later restored following assurances from the developers to remove the offending tools.

Telegram’s encryption and anonymous messaging features have made it a preferred channel for illegal activities in multiple countries.

With regulators worldwide increasingly scrutinising the platform, the Philippines’ potential ban could mark another step in global efforts to hold messaging apps accountable for cybercrime.

Iran's sustained global search interest

Iran is trending globally because of widespread unrest inside the country and the Iranian government’s forceful response to it. What began as protests driven by economic hardship has escalated into a broader movement reflecting deep frustration with political repression, social restrictions and long-standing governance issues under the Islamic Republic.

The unrest reportedly began in late 2025, fuelled by soaring inflation, a weakening currency and deteriorating living standards. Economic grievances quickly merged with broader anger over limited political freedoms, restrictions on civil liberties and dissatisfaction among young people and students. Demonstrations spread across multiple cities, becoming one of the most significant waves of dissent in recent years.

In response, Iranian authorities deployed security forces in large numbers. Human rights organisations and international observers have reported mass arrests and the use of force against protesters. Internet disruptions and temporary blackouts have also been imposed at various points, limiting communication and reducing the flow of information both inside and outside the country.

This sustained media visibility explains why the term “Iran” dominated search comparisons across North America , Europe, Africa and much of Asia during the measured period.

Therian and what it means

In contrast, the term “Therian” refers to individuals who identify as therianthropes or people who experience a strong psychological or spiritual connection to a non-human animal identity. The concept has been documented in academic discussions of online identity communities and subcultures.

Research published in journals such as Anthrozoös and studies examining online identity formation note that therian communities primarily exist in digital spaces, including forums and social media platforms. Interest often spikes due to viral videos, social media trends or online discourse.

Recent Google Trends comparisons show that several Latin American countries, including Argentina, Chile and Peru, recorded stronger relative search interest in “Therian” than in “Iran” over the past week.

This does not necessarily signal a broad societal shift, but it may reflect the influence of youth-driven online communities, particularly on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, where identity-based content can trend quickly across regions.

How Google Trends Data Should Be Interpreted

The comparison uses publicly available Google Trends figures, which track relative search interest rather than total search numbers. Google explains that its data is scaled from 0 to 100, showing how popular a term is compared with all other searches in a specific place and period, not the raw volume behind it.

As a result, a country identified as showing higher interest in “Therian” is not necessarily producing more overall searches than one associated with “Iran”.

Google Trends also clarifies that the data is drawn from a sample of searches and then normalised so regions can be compared fairly. A score of 100 represents the highest level of popularity for a term within the chosen timeframe and location. The figures reflect search activity only and do not indicate sentiment, motivation or context behind those queries.

I also think it’s important for news, because it’s where a whole generation hangs out and because the format is actually appropriate for information sharing - unlike some of the other competitors for attention such as gaming or music streaming.

I’ve never subscribed to the notion that content on the platform has to be funny or light, despite having attended countless industry events where I was shown innovative but content-deficient approaches by major news organisations.

At CGTN, with an excellent team, we amassed more than a million followers over a two-year period (it’s now closer to 2 million).

TikTok is powerful. TikTok is useful. And TikTok is relevant. 

So it’s a shame they are currently doing worse at news than Meta. 

That’s a low bar. Meta once made an effort to lure big news brands. It didn’t really build an ecosystem to support a diversity of news content, but it did at least put money and lipservice towards the value of news. Then came the big falling out, lawsuits and legislation that led to a divorce. Instead, Meta pivoted towards creators, using a tiny portion of its earnings to return to those whose efforts make the platform work.

And today it is possible for a news organisation with very tight cost controls to make some (OK not a lot of) money from content licensing on Facebook.

TikTok offers a similar programme, designed to share a measly portion of revenue with those who power the platform with their own content. As a news organisation, we want to be on TikTok because it's an important channel to reach an audience who may not have access to other sources of information. Few media make a serious effort on the platform because the financial returns for doing so are low. But we feel it's part of our mission.

I can understand why TikTok has strict rules about violent or graphic content. I think they should find a way of filtering this content so users can decide if they want to see the realities of conflict or disaster, but I understand why it's easier just to remove everything and play safe. It means we do sanitise and dilute some of our storytelling on TikTok to avoid being blocked.  Not ideal, but understandable.

My problem comes with a much more insidious moderation approach which penalises “unoriginal content”.

Firstly because it doesn’t work: I interviewed the head of Indonesia’s free meals programme - https://www.globalsouthworld.com/article/indonesia-s-free-meals-programme-will-feed-83-million-people-in-2026 - but the interview was flagged as unoriginal on TikTok. Not only does this mean it cannot be monetised, but effectively I get a strike.

But also because it is wrong in principle: We got another unoriginal strike for a video compiling reactions to the US attack on Venezuela (TikTok says this does not include sufficient editing to be considered original content, do take a look and make your own opinion https://www.tiktok.com/@globalsouthworld/video/7591629476258254102 ). Another strike was given for a video of Donald Trump defending sharing a monkey video of Barack Obama and another for a clip of Egypt’s president at Davos.

And once we had five strikes that was enough to get us banned from the creator rewards programme. From small revenue to no revenue. And that makes a difference. I can understand that TikTok may not feel that running clips such as these is what the creator programme was designed for. It would be fair to exclude them from monetisation. But the entire channel should not be punished for providing serious news content. Channels producing anodyne brain-rot do not run this risk.

I don’t want to see social media banned. I want to see social media improved. Here’s somewhere to start. In an emailed response to questions about their policy, TikTok said the content was not eligible for its creator programme because it did not involve enough editing or because the creator was not appearing in the video (which incidentally is not mentioned in the rewards programme terms https://www.tiktok.com/creator-academy/en/article/creator-rewards-program ).

They did not address the policy of blocking the entire channel from the programme on the basis that some videos were ineligible.

Duncan Hooper is consulting editor at Global South World. He previously ran the European newsroom of CGTN and was head of digital at Euronews.

As of early February, at least 25 lawmakers had surpassed 100,000 subscribers, the threshold required to receive YouTube’s “silver play button.” It has become an unlikely status symbol in politics , in the country and a way to appeal to the grassroots.

Most of the lawmakers with silver play buttons are from liberal or left-leaning parties, though several conservatives have also built sizable audiences. Subscriber numbers appear to depend less on seniority and more on timing, messaging style and online engagement.

YouTube allows politicians to communicate unfiltered, respond quickly to controversies and mobilise younger voters who consume news primarily online. Lawmakers can livestream debates, post commentary and shape narratives without relying on mainstream broadcasters.

However, politicians have been cautioned that online popularity does not always reflect public support or voting .

The charge is linked to provisions in Cuba’s penal code that criminalise actions deemed to undermine the state’s constitutional system. Authorities have not publicly detailed the specific content or actions that led to the decision, but both individuals are known online for sharing commentary critical of official policies and the country’s political direction.

Human rights organisations have described the move as part of an escalating pattern of legal action against activists, journalists and digital content creators in recent years. Cuban officials, however, have consistently defended the application of such laws as necessary to protect national sovereignty and public order.

The case comes at a time of heightened economic strain and social tension on the island, with dissent increasingly expressed through social media platforms. The decision to impose provisional detention means both influencers will remain in custody while investigations continue and the legal process moves forward.

The emails, contained in the so-called Epstein Files, show how reputation management, search algorithms and low-cost overseas labour were used to launder the image of a convicted sex offender, even as allegations against him continued to mount.

Why it matters:

Epstein’s case illustrates how early digital manipulation tactics were used to suppress accountability, raise ethical questions about outsourced online labour, and expose gaps in platform safeguards.

By the numbers

What Epstein did

The Philippines angle

How it worked

Did it succeed?

The footage appeared at the end of a one-minute video promoting conspiracy theories about the 2020 election. In the final seconds, the faces of the Obamas were superimposed onto apes in a jungle setting, accompanied by the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” The imagery referenced a longstanding racist trope historically used to dehumanise Black people and justify racial violence .

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt initially defended the post, calling the criticism “fake outrage.” Leavitt stated that the video was intended to be an “ internet meme” showing Trump as the “King of the Jungle” and Democrats as characters from The Lion King. However, the version posted by the President did not show other Democrats, and the Obamas were the only ones depicted.

Republican leaders condemned the video. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, the only Black Republican in the Senate, described it as the “most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House.” He added that he was “praying it was fake” and called for its immediate removal. Representative Mike Lawler described the post as “wrong and incredibly offensive,” while Senator Roger Wicker stated it was “totally unacceptable.”

Following public pressure, the White House claimed the video was posted in error by a staff member. An official statement said a “White House staffer erroneously made the post” and that the President had not been aware of its content. Neither the President nor the White House has issued a formal apology.

According to the Commission, features such as infinite scrolling, autoplay, push notifications and highly personalised content recommendations make it harder for users to stop scrolling and may harm their physical and mental wellbeing.

EU officials said TikTok did not do enough to assess or reduce the impact of these features, particularly on minors and vulnerable users. Regulators raised concerns about excessive screen time, including children using the app late at night.

“TikTok has to take action,” EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen told reporters. “They have to change the design of their service in Europe to protect minors and their wellbeing.”

The Commission said TikTok’s existing screen-time controls and parental tools were ineffective. It noted that time limits were easy to dismiss and that parental controls required extra effort and technical knowledge from parents to set up.

The investigation into TikTok began in February 2024 and was the first case opened under the DSA, the EU’s sweeping law aimed at tightening oversight of major digital platforms. The law allows regulators to fine companies up to six per cent of their global annual turnover if breaches are confirmed.

To avoid penalties, the Commission said TikTok could be required to redesign parts of its app, including limiting infinite scrolling, introducing stronger screen-time breaks, especially at night and adjusting how its recommendation algorithms work.

TikTok will now be allowed to review the EU’s findings and respond to the allegations. EU officials said the company has so far cooperated with regulators.

In the video, the teenagers are seen saying they “want to do a good deed” before eating fried chicken at a fast-food outlet. One remarks that the chicken bones would be wasted if thrown away. They then pack the bones into rice and hand it to a man sleeping outside a Johor Bahru restaurant. The man thanks them, though it is unclear whether he ate the food.

Tang, who represented himself in court, was charged under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 with creating and posting an offensive video intended to cause annoyance, according to state-run news agency Bernama .

In court, Tang apologised and asked for a minimum fine, saying he was remorseful for the stunt.

The prosecution described the video as a “calculated act of exploitation,” noting that the victim felt “insulted and angry” after being used for social media content. 

Deputy public prosecutor Fadhli Ab Wahab called for a deterrent sentence to prevent others from posting similar videos.

Judge Sazlina Safie ordered Tang to pay the RM40,000 fine, adding four months’ imprisonment in default of payment. Tang has since settled the fine.

Under Malaysian law, the offence carries a maximum penalty of RM500,000 ($127,000), up to two years’ imprisonment, or both, with additional daily fines if the violation continues after conviction.

Tang later posted another Instagram video admitting his mistake, promising not to film similar content again, and kowtowing three times in apology.

The over-one-minute clip has been viewed more than 400,000 times, sparking a debate online about the limits of social media pranks and the ethics of exploiting vulnerable individuals for content.

Why TikTok faced a ban

In 2024, the US Congress passed legislation requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a nationwide ban. Lawmakers argued that Chinese ownership posed risks of data misuse and potential government interference, claims TikTok has repeatedly denied.

Although the ban was initially set to take effect in early 2025, deadlines were extended several times as negotiations continued behind the scenes.

What the deal changes  

Under the new arrangement, parts of TikTok’s US operations have been transferred to American partners, including technology company Oracle and private equity firm Silver Lake. The structure gives US investors a larger role in governance and oversight, addressing Washington’s concerns about control and data security .

TikTok’s global chief executive, Chew Shou Zi, will continue to run the company worldwide and will also sit on the board of the new US entity.

CEO thanks users

Hours after the deal was completed, Chew posted a video on TikTok thanking users for their support. Without directly referencing the agreement, he expressed gratitude to the platform’s more than one billion users worldwide and 200 million users in the United States.

“We are grateful to have you as part of our TikTok community,” Chew said, adding that he looked forward to seeing more creativity and storytelling on the platform.

The deal allows TikTok to continue operating in the US while meeting legal requirements set by Congress.

“They really tried to break me but it built me,” he wrote. “They wanted me gone but I’m here, all glory to GOD!!!”

Vitaly, 33, was deported to Russia on January 17 following a detention that began in April 2025, after his livestreamed pranks in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) — a major business and leisure district in Taguig — triggered public backlash and legal action. 

His videos showed him grabbing a security guard’s cap, attempting to seize another guard’s firearm and threatening to rob a woman, incidents prosecutors said amounted to criminal harassment.

Philippine immigration authorities said the Bureau of Immigration’s Board of Commissioners ordered his deportation after three counts of unjust vexation filed against him in Taguig courts were settled. 

Another foreign vlogger deported

Vitaly’s case has become a reference point for a broader crackdown on foreign vloggers accused of harassing Filipinos for online content. 

This month, authorities arrested 34-year-old Estonian national Siim Roosipuu, who ran a YouTube channel called Pro Life Traveler. 

Roosipuu was detained on January 15 in a joint operation involving immigration intelligence officers, police and local officials, and now faces deportation.

Authorities said Roosipuu gained notoriety for harassing locals, with social media users alleging that his videos included chasing people and posing highly inappropriate questions to underage women. 

Local officials in Negros Oriental formally declared him persona non grata (unwanted person), citing complaints of unauthorised filming, harassment and offensive remarks.

“This is another Vitaly case — different person, same behavior,” Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado said. “A foreign vlogger comes here, disrespects Filipinos, violates our laws and thinks he can hide behind a camera and a social media following. That ends here.”

“The Philippines is not a content playground,” he added. “We welcome tourists and legitimate creators, but anyone who exploits our people for views, clicks, or profit will face arrest, deportation and blacklisting.”

Technology has indeed revolutionised the way we live, work, and interact with each other. Over the years, it has provided us with countless unforgettable memories, from the first mobile phone call to the latest virtual reality experiences.

Martin Cooper, an engineer at Motorola, made the first public call on a handheld mobile phone in 1973.

This groundbreaking moment marked the beginning of a new era in communication. 51 years later, mobile phones form the very foundation of our lives, and it's hard to think there was a time they didn't exist!

Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) have transformed the way we connect.

From sharing life updates and photos to joining online communities and movements, social media has given us a platform to express ourselves and connect with others across the globe. And to think that first tweet was shared only 18 years ago is so surreal.

To top everything up, ChatGPT said here comes Artificial Intelligence. This was not a reality some three years ago.

There is also Virtual reality (VR) technology. Although it's been around for decades, it only gained momentum and huge presence a few years ago, and whether it is in education , healthcare, gaming and entertainment, VR has opened the human race to several unforgettable experiences.

What are some of your fondest memories about technology? What else would you rather see and experience?

This brings our live coverage of Uganda’s 2026 general election to an end. The vote is widely expected to extend President Yoweri Museveni’s four-decade rule. Follow Global South World for ongoing updates as the process continues, with final results expected from the Electoral Commission within the next 48 hours.

18:00 GMT: Yoweri Museveni takes early lead

15:00 GMT: Vote counting commences in several parts of the country

14:30 GMT: No "serious violations" detected during voting in Kampala, Russian election observer reports

14:00 GMT: Polls officially close at most polling stations across the country

1:30 GMT: Opposition leader Bobi Wine allege incidents of ballot stuffing

1:00 GMT: Uganda's National Tally Center in Lubowa is ready for first round of result later this evening

12:30 GMT: Polling hours have been extended from the earlier communicated 4:00pm to 5:00pm

12:00 GMT: Health Minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng casts her vote

11:00 GMT: Voting underway at Kampala Road

10: 30 GMT: Presidential candidate Yvonne Mpambara raises concerns over technical failures on election day

10:30 GMT: Common Man’s Party Presidential flagbearer Mubarak Munyagwa votes

10:00 GMT: Opposition leader Bobi Wine votes in the company of his wife

9:30 GMT: President Yoweri Museveni speaks after voting

President Museveni has addressed the nation after casting his ballot on matters relating to election rigging, delays in opening polls, malfunctioning biometric machines, amongst others.

9:00 GMT: Incumbent President Yoweri Museveni votes

9:00 GMT: President Yoweri Museveni arrives at Rwakitura to vote

8:30 GMT: The Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) presidential candidate, Major General Gregory Mugisha Muntu (Rtd) casts ballot

8:00 GMT: Electoral Commission orders voting process to commence immediately despite machine malfunctions

Uganda’s Electoral Commission chief, Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama has ordered the immediate commencement of polls across all polling stations. This comes after reported delays and biometric machine malfunction in several polling stations across the country.

7:30 GMT: Polls delay and biometric machines malfunction

Polls was expected to open by 7am however reports from several parts of the capital, Kampala, and the city of Jinja said voting had yet to begin by 9am (0600 GMT), with reports that ballot papers had not been delivered and biometric machines used to check voters' identities were not working. "Nobody is here to tell us what is happening," said Abuza Monica Christine, a 56-year-old businesswoman in central Jinja, told AFP.

7:00 GMT: Voting begins across Uganda

Voting officially commenced at 7:00 am in various polling station across the country

Campaign Season

In the months leading up to the campaign, the Ugandan government stepped up actions against the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), with arrests and charges against its members. In October 2025, ten NUP members were arrested in northern Uganda, and in November at least 95 more were charged with minor offences. After campaigning began, the pressure continued, including an incident on 6 December 2025 in Gulu where Bobi Wine and several supporters and staff were attacked and beaten by security forces while on the trail. President Yoweri Museveni, in a New Year’s Eve address on 31 December 2025, urged security forces to use more tear gas to disperse crowds, describing the opposition as “criminal” and arguing that tear gas was preferable to live ammunition.

Key Issues

Electoral System

Uganda’s president is elected under a two-round system, meaning a candidate must win 50% plus one vote to take the presidency in the first round. The law requires presidential candidates to be Ugandan citizens by birth, eligible to be an MP, and of sound mind, and it bars anyone with a formal connection to the Electoral Commission from running; term limits were removed in 2005, and elections are overseen by the Electoral Commission of Uganda.

Parliament has 529 seats: 353 are elected in single-member constituencies using first-past-the-post, and 146 district-based seats are reserved for women (one per district) and filled the same way. The remaining 30 seats are filled indirectly through special electoral colleges, 10 for the army and 5 each for youths, elders, unions and people with disabilities with requirements to ensure women are represented in each group.

The Candidates

A total of seven candidates were nominated during the two-day exercise held on 23rd and 24th September 2025 at the Electoral Commission grounds in Lweza-Lubowa, Wakiso District. Among those nominated is President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, standing on the ticket of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). Now in power for nearly four decades, Museveni first took office in 1986 after leading a guerrilla war that promised to restore democracy following years of instability. The opposition field is led by Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, the candidate of the National Unity Platform (NUP). A former pop star turned politician, Bobi Wine, is widely viewed as Museveni’s strongest challenger. Read more

Background and Electoral History

Uganda’s first national election was the 1962 Uganda National Assembly vote, which produced a post-independence government after an alliance between the Uganda People ’s Congress (UPC) and Kabaka Yekka (KY) won a parliamentary majority and made Milton Obote executive prime minister. Elections then stalled for years amid dictatorship and political turmoil, including the eras of Idi Amin, Yusuf Lule and Godfrey Binaisa, until a disputed presidential election in December 1980 returned Obote to power amid allegations of fraud. One of the contenders, Yoweri Museveni, rejected the outcome and launched an armed rebellion, and his National Resistance Army eventually took power in 1986 after the short-lived government of Gen Tito Okello.

Under Museveni, Uganda introduced a “no-party” system that barred parties from fielding candidates directly, and the country held nonparty elections in 1996, its first popular presidential election since 1962, when Museveni won while formally running without a party, despite the existence of parties such as the Democratic Party, UPC and later the Forum for Democratic Change. Museveni also won again in 2001, in a vote challenged by his main rival Kizza Besigye but ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court. In 2005, Ugandans voted in a referendum to restore multiparty politics, setting up the 2006 general election as the first multiparty contest in 25 years, which Museveni and the NRM won; he later defeated opposition challenger Bobi Wine in the 2021 presidential election.

Voter Statistics

According to the Ugandan Electoral Commission in its latest voter statistics, the country currently has 146 districts, 312 counties, 353 constituencies, 2,191 sub-counties/towns/municipal divisions, 10,717 parishes and 71,214 villages, while the scale of election administration has expanded since the last general cycle. The number of polling stations has risen from 34,684 in 2021 to 50,739 as of 13 November 2025, and the registered voter roll has grown from 18,103,603 (2021) to 21,681,491 (as of 13 November 2025).

Vitaly’s video showed him grabbing a security guard’s cap, attempting to seize another guard’s firearm, and threatening to rob a woman — acts prosecutors said merited three counts of unjust vexation.

On Thursday, the Philippines’ Bureau of Immigration (BI) said its Board of Commissioners has issued a deportation order against the 33-year-old Russian national, following the resolution of criminal cases filed against him.

He was charged with three counts of the offence before courts in Taguig, cases that have since been settled, thereby clearing the way for his removal from the country, according to immigration officials.

After 9 months in jail

Earlier, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla had insisted that Vitaly would serve his sentence locally , saying deportation was not immediately possible.  Neither Russia nor the United States — where the vlogger holds a green card — had agreed to receive him.

At the time, Remulla said Vitaly had written to him seeking the dismissal of the charges, citing mental health concerns, but stressed that the law would take its course.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had also condemned the vlogger’s action, warning that abuse disguised as entertainment would not be tolerated in the Philippines.

Remulla later clarified that while Vitaly holds US residency, he remains a Russian citizen travelling on a Russian passport, underscoring where responsibility for his return ultimately lies.

Tourists welcome, but…

Vitaly’s case has drawn attention to the limits of prank culture in the age of viral content, particularly when performed in foreign countries.

“Let this be a reminder to all our visitors here in the Philippines that we always welcome tourists and visitors,” Remulla said. “We treat them with respect and we expect them to follow the same rules as we follow the same rules when we travel.” 

Vitaly has more than 10 million subscribers on YouTube and is known for provocative stunts across the world . Because of his actions, he has been declared persona non grata , or an “unwelcome person,” in several countries, including the Philippines. 

“All those in Uganda, who are able to bypass the criminal regime’s internet blockade – big up yourselves!” he wrote. “Pass around the message. Let everyone know how to do it. They cut off the internet in order to hide rigging and atrocities. Record everything and share with the world .”

The call came less than 24 hours after the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) ordered mobile network operators and internet service providers to suspend public internet access and selected mobile services starting at 6:00 pm on January 13, 2026. The suspension is expected to remain in force until further notice.

The UCC said the move was aimed at maintaining public order during the election period.

Just days earlier, government officials had dismissed claims by the opposition that an internet shutdown was planned.

Just days earlier, authorities had denied claims by the main opposition that the government intended to cut internet access to prevent mobilisation and the sharing of election results. Those concerns intensified last week after satellite internet provider Starlink restricted its services in Uganda following an order from the regulator.

According to the UCC, the shutdown follows a “strong recommendation” from the Inter-Agency Security Committee and is aimed at preventing the spread of misinformation, disinformation, electoral fraud and incitement to violence during the polls. The commission said the measures are necessary to protect public confidence and national security .

Under the directive, services to be suspended include public internet access, the sale and registration of new SIM cards, and outbound data roaming services to countries within the One Network Area. The shutdown applies across mobile broadband, fibre optic connections, leased lines, fixed wireless access, microwave radio links and satellite internet services.

The UCC said all non-essential public internet traffic, including social media platforms, web browsing, video streaming, personal email services and messaging applications, must be blocked during the suspension period.

A limited number of essential services will be exempted under a strictly controlled exclusion list, allowing continued access for critical national functions such as network monitoring and infrastructure management. Access to these systems will be restricted to authorised personnel and secured through whitelisted mechanisms such as dedicated IP ranges or private networks. Operators have been instructed to suspend access immediately if any abuse is detected.

MrBeast, whose content reaches more than one billion followers across platforms, said the project is designed to turn online influence into tangible impact. Rather than focusing on follower numbers alone, participants were chosen for their commitment to social good and community-driven ideas.

The country has become increasingly visible on the global stage, attracting international attention for projects that combine philanthropy, storytelling and youth engagement. Local creators, including Ghanaian YouTuber Wode Maya, have been invited to participate.

The village project will be fully documented and shared across MrBeast’s platforms.

The clip features a cartoon eagle — a stand-in for the US — singing to a panda representing China. 

Through the song, the embassy delivers pointed jabs at what it portrays as hypocrisy in Western criticism of China, particularly over manufacturing and trade in electric vehicles, solar energy and technology .

“Great ideas until China checks,” the video declares.

“When we lead, it’s ‘progress, wow.’ When China leads, it’s ‘overcapacity now,’” the eagle sings.

The embassy also leans into China’s reputation as a manufacturing powerhouse. 

For years, the surplus of “made in China” labels has been a running joke in the West, often implying poor quality. The video flips that trope, presenting China’s industrial capacity as a source of resentment rather than ridicule.

It further accuses Western media of framing China’s rise through a distorted lens.

“We preach ‘fair play,’ ‘open the gate,’ feels fair till China’s moving too great,” the eagle sings.

Trade tensions between Beijing and Washington intensified under President Donald Trump, during both his first and second terms in office. 

Trump accused China of using “vicious trade tactics” and of violating a temporary trade truce earlier last year, and at one point threatened to impose a 100% tariff on Chinese goods entering the US.

For the Chinese Embassy, however, China’s industrial success is not the real problem behind the backlash.

“The real China shock? Can’t stand them rise.”

In one widely shared moment from Botswana, the streamer appeared shocked to learn that he could not simply buy raw diamonds locally, despite the country being the world’s largest diamond producer. Viewers pointed out that Botswana’s diamond industry is tightly regulated through long-term international contracts, leaving a limited domestic market.

Beyond viral clips, social media users argue that iShowSpeed’s tour has unintentionally become educational. Others noted that many young Americans, especially those who have never travelled outside the United States , were exposed for the first time to African cities with skyscrapers, paved roads, internet access and modern amenities. Some described the reactions as revealing how deeply Western narratives have portrayed Africa as uniformly poor or rural.

One emotional video showed a viewer breaking down while saying the streams had changed his entire view of Africa, admitting he had grown up believing the continent consisted only of “huts and stick houses” with no future. Instead, he said, the livestreams showed beauty, culture, resources and advanced urban life.

iShowSpeed has said his motivation for doing long “IRL marathons” is to bring the world to people who cannot travel. “I’m for the people that can’t travel,” he said in one clip. “I try to give y’all the best experience. Whatever experience it is, I’m your test dummy.”

The streamer is reportedly set to visit 20 African countries, including Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa , Zambia, and Zimbabwe. He has already shared footage from Angola, Eswatini, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, among others.

“This research gives us a biological explanation for why limiting screen time in the first two years is crucial,” said Dr Tan Ai Peng, the study’s lead researcher. “It also highlights the importance of parental engagement, showing that parent-child activities, like reading together, can make a real difference.”

Brain scans carried out when the children were aged four and a half, six and seven and a half showed that higher screen exposure in infancy was linked to faster maturation of brain networks involved in visual processing and cognitive control. While early brain maturation may sound positive, Dr Tan warned that this is not necessarily the case.

“The first few years of life is when the brain is starting to learn real-world experiences,” she said. “It is important that they get exposed to different types of environmental stimuli, and not just very excessive visual stimulation like what they get on screen.”

For children whose parents read to them frequently from the age of three, the link between early screen exposure and later brain changes was significantly weakened.

“When we started this study, we wanted to see how altered brain development might lead to anxiety symptoms during adolescence,” Dr Tan said. “There is a high possibility that they may not be able to cope well in new social environments.”

Published in the medical journal eBioMedicine, the findings add to growing global concerns about excessive screen use in early childhood.

Under the regulation, platforms will be required to enforce minimum age requirements for users and restrict children’s access based on the level of risk posed by each service. 

The government will classify platforms into risk categories, with stricter limits applied to high-risk services such as social media.

Children aged 13 to 16 will be subject to differentiated access controls depending on a platform’s risk profile, Communications and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid said, adding that the government will publish an official list of high- and low-risk platforms.

PP Tunas also prohibits platforms from profiling children or collecting, analysing and exploiting their personal data, marking one of the strongest child data protections introduced in Indonesia to date.

Platforms that breach the rules will face escalating administrative sanctions , starting with formal warnings, followed by fines and, in severe or repeated cases, the termination of access to their services in Indonesia.

The government has completed public consultations on the implementing guidelines and has begun pilot testing the rules with child users in several regions ahead of full enforcement.

Officials said the regulation is designed to apply across the entire digital ecosystem rather than targeting social media alone, placing obligations on platforms to actively protect children from online risks once the rules come into force in 2026.

Of these, 566 links were targeted for allegedly disrupting public order.

The data, compiled by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, reveals that only a small fraction of the notices related to clear criminal activity. Just 14 notices across a 20-month period alleged offences such as betting scams, impersonation linked to financial fraud , or child sexual abuse material.

Instead, much of the enforcement focused on speech-related concerns, including content aimed at political leaders and public figures. At least 124 URLs were flagged for targeting politicians, while others were accused of spreading misinformation or defamation.

The scale of intervention spiked during sensitive political moments. During the Lok Sabha elections in April and May 2024 alone, authorities flagged 761 URLs, including nearly 200 links accused of violating election laws. One single notice, issued on May 13, 2024, sought the removal of 115 URLs over an allegedly doctored video said to influence voters.

X has repeatedly objected to several of these orders, arguing that posts cited by the government did not violate the laws invoked. In some cases, the platform asked officials to reconsider takedown demands involving opposition party accounts and political commentary.

At the centre of the dispute is the legal route used by the government. The MHA has relied on Section 79(3)(b), which deals with intermediary liability, rather than Section 69A of the IT Act — the provision traditionally used for blocking online content on grounds such as national security or public order.

X argues that using Section 79(3)(b) widens the state’s power to remove content without the procedural safeguards built into Section 69A, including clearer thresholds and a more formal review process. The company has challenged the legality of the government’s Sahyog portal, which issues such notices, in the Karnataka High Court.

The government, for its part, says X has questioned both the authority of officials issuing notices and the classification of content as unlawful. In its court filings, the MHA maintains that the takedowns are necessary to prevent unrest, misinformation and threats to public order.

The pattern of notices also shows how broadly “public order” has been interpreted, covering everything from allegedly manipulated images of senior leaders to critical posts about government institutions. Critics say this blurs the line between preventing harm and suppressing dissent.

As the courts weigh X’s challenge, the figures underline a larger question facing India’s digital governance: where regulation ends and censorship begins — and who gets to draw that line in the world ’s largest democracy.

That casual moment became the starting point of a journey that would move from home cooking to digital influence, and now, social change. 

The video later evolved into a full recipe post on TikTok, helping her find an audience that connected with her food, her ideas, and eventually, her purpose.

In the early days, Chefabbys made a clear decision to stay behind the camera. For nearly two years, her videos focused only on the food. “For like two years I never showed my face… I just really love to cook,” she told Global South World in an interview. 

At the time, cooking was the focus, not visibility or recognition. That changed around December 2024, when she chose to step into the frame. “The moment you add your face to it, it becomes like your personality, showing what you can offer.” Showing her face helped shift how people saw her content. What once felt like a recipe page began to feel like a personal brand, built around a real person with a clear voice.

As her audience grew, so did the challenges behind the scenes. Chefabbys spoke about the financial strain of food content creation. “You need to buy the ingredients to shoot the recipe… and if that’s not coming anymore, you need to use your own money.” 

Beyond costs, there was also the pressure of standing out in a crowded digital space. “How do you stand out? What exactly will make people want to watch your videos?”

For her, the answer was never just better visuals or trend-driven content. It came from something deeper. Her relationship with food was shaped long before social media. 

“Growing up, we always came from a family where food was in abundance, and we always gave our food.” 

That habit of sharing stayed with her. Seeing people light up when they received a meal became meaningful. “I felt like, oh, if food can make somebody this happy, then imagine giving thousands of people that food.”

That thinking pushed her to look beyond content creation. She began to question how her words and values could turn into real action. “I wanted to make use of something I’ve been saying all the time… How do I change that thing that is just talking into something that is more passion-driven and action?”

The answer came on October 16, World Food Day, when Chefabbys launched the “Big Street Feast” in Accra. 

She turned the street into an open kitchen and fed tens of thousands for free . The event was simple in concept but powerful in impact. Food was shared without conditions or labels.

But she was not alone; her initiative received support from the office of Ghana’s president and local organisations. 

“People actually helped us. They came through. It was the first time, so people needed to see how it was going to go.” 

The crowd reflected the wider reality of food insecurity. Over 36 million people in West and Central Africa are on the verge of experiencing emergency hunger as a result of persistent conflict, difficult economic conditions, and severe weather, according to the World Food Programme (WFP) . The situation in Ghana, Guinea, and Côte d'Ivoire is getting worse due to rising food and fuel prices.

According to WFP, a million of Ghana's more than 2 million people who experience food insecurity are chronically malnourished children under five.

“It’s not just for the underprivileged… businessmen, influencers, and everyday people” showed up, reinforcing her belief that food challenges affect many people, not just those often identified as vulnerable.

From that experience, a bigger vision took shape. The Ghanaian now wants every October 16 to be recognised as Free Food Day across her country and everywhere else. 

Her idea is simple: restaurants, communities, and individuals offering free meals on that day. 

“In the next five years, I want to see World Food Day as something that is practised out of Ghana, in countries, in restaurants… people should be able to walk in and eat for free.”

Her work has not gone unnoticed. In July 2025, she was named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential Creators. Months later, at the TikTok Awards Sub-Saharan Africa held in Johannesburg in December, she earned 1st Runner-Up in the Food Creator of the Year category. 

For her, recognition is not pressure. “It gives me more opportunities to do more… I don’t feel pressure at all,” she said.

Despite being widely known as a chef and content creator, Chefabbys defines herself differently. 

“Being a chef is my passion. Being a creator is a platform… but being a changemaker is my vision, my hope, my dream.” 

The dealer later told the customer that the logo, weighing just under one don, was worth more than 700,000 won — a sum that far exceeded expectations for a discarded household appliance part.

The video quickly gained traction online, surpassing one million views within days and prompting viewers to scour homes, storage rooms and scrap piles for similar logos. Social media users shared stories of elderly relatives’ old air conditioners and lamented throwing away metal badges years earlier.

The online buzz intensified when a second customer appeared in a follow-up video, bringing in another Whisen logo after seeing the original post. That logo, in better condition, got an even higher valuation.

As interest surged, media reports began to clarify the origins of the gold-plated find. South Korean newspapers reported that the gold logos were not standard fittings but appeared only on specific limited-edition LG models.

According to industry records, LG — then operating as Lucky-Goldstar — produced around 10,000 special-edition Whisen air conditioners in 2005, each fitted with a pure gold logo to mark the company’s dominance in the domestic market.

The concept was revived in 2008 with a small batch of models featuring gold nameplates engraved with an artist’s signature, further blurring the line between appliance and collectible.

At the time, gold prices were a fraction of today’s levels, making the inclusion of precious metal more symbolic than financially significant. Two decades later, soaring gold prices have transformed those logos into unexpected assets.

The episode has underscored how forgotten promotional gimmicks can gain new value with time — and how, in this case, an old air conditioner quietly became a long-term investment without its owner ever knowing.

Philippine lawmakers have concluded bicameral negotiations on the proposed P6.793 trillion ($115 billion) national budget for 2026 after months of delays. The House of Representatives and the Senate finalised the reconciled version at 2.22 a.m. on Thursday, following more than nine hours of deliberations. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said the agreed budget was responsive to public needs and claimed it was free of corruption and overpriced items. Final discussions focused on funding for public works, unprogrammed appropriations and special-purpose funds. The budget will now move towards ratification by both chambers.

Senate to subpoena Meta over disinformation hearing absence

A Philippine Senate committee will issue a subpoena to Meta after the Facebook owner again failed to attend a hearing on proposed laws tackling online disinformation. Senator Rodante Marcoleta moved for compulsory attendance after Meta skipped Monday’s session on three bills covering false content, social media algorithms and organised “troll farms,” submitting only an excuse letter. Committee chair Robin Padilla criticised what he said was a pattern of absences since the 19th Congress. The move contrasted with TikTok, which sent a senior policy executive. Lawmakers say the measures form a coordinated response to the country’s escalating disinformation problem.

Filipinas claim historic SEA Games football gold 

The Philippines’ women’s national football team won its first-ever Southeast Asian Games gold medal after defeating defending champions Vietnam in a dramatic penalty shootout in Thailand. The final ended goalless after extra time, forcing penalties for the second consecutive match involving the Filipinas. Both teams converted their first five kicks before veteran Jackie Sawicki scored in sudden death. Goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel then sealed the title by saving Vietnam’s final attempt. 

Philippine court orders arrests over $1.7 million ghost flood control project

A Philippine court has issued arrest warrants against contractor Sarah Discaya and nine others over a P96 million ($1.7 million) flood control project that allegedly never began in Davao Occidental, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Thursday. The suspects face graft and malversation charges linked to a project in Barangay Culaman, involving officials and staff of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ local engineering office. Malversation is a non-bailable offence, meaning those charged face immediate detention. The Office of the Ombudsman filed the cases with a regional court earlier this month, with authorities signalling further prosecutions.

Historic thoroughfare set for long-awaited facelift

The long-delayed rehabilitation of EDSA, Metro Manila’s main thoroughfare and a key site of the 1986 “People Power” uprising, will begin on December 24, Philippine authorities said. Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said the P6 billion project will take eight months, far shorter than earlier estimates of up to two years. Initial works will run overnight during the holiday period, when traffic is expected to be lighter. The overhaul will use stone mastic asphalt, a more durable material designed to withstand heavy loads and harsh weather. No changes to traffic rules are planned.

“They’re doing a lot of things. We want to keep Europe – Europe. Europe is going in some bad directions. It’s very bad. Very bad for the people . We don’t want Europe to change so much,” he said.

The remarks come as the White House on Friday released an updated National Security Strategy warning that Europe faced “civilisational erasure” amid rising migration, and accusing the EU of engaging in “censorship.”

EU regulators said X’s paid blue verification ticks were “deceptive,” alleging that the platform failed to properly verify users, lacked transparency on advertising practices, and refused to provide researchers access to key data.

The dispute escalated over the weekend when Musk likened the EU to a “Fourth Reich,” suggesting the bloc should be dismantled and sovereignty returned to member states. X has since blocked EU institutions from purchasing ads on the platform.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the EU’s actions, calling the fine “an attack on all American tech platforms and the American people by foreign governments.”

Under the proposed rules, social media companies that allow under-16s to create accounts could face penalties of up to RM10 million (about USD $2.1 million).

Fahmi said the government is studying how other countries are implementing similar restrictions, including Australia, which this month became the first nation to ban social media access for those under 16. Platforms there face fines of up to AU$49.5 million (about USD $33 million) if they fail to enforce the ban.

Malaysia’s decision follows rising concern about online safety for children . Fahmi cited a recent incident involving a primary school pupil who requested indecent images from a teacher via WhatsApp as an example of why tighter controls are needed.

According to Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Twitch qualifies for the ban because its livestreaming and real-time interaction features pose risks for younger users.

Other services, such as Pinterest, LegoPlay and WhatsApp, have been allowed to remain accessible for teenagers. Several additional platforms are still under review.

Twitch, which has more than 7 million livestream artists, said most of its audience is between 18 and 34. It did not disclose how many users are younger, though current rules already prohibit anyone under 13 from joining.

The legislation has faced heavy pushback from tech companies, which argue that enforcing strict age limits online is practically unworkable and that the policy has been rushed. Critics say without reliable age-verification technology, the ban may function more as a political statement than a meaningful barrier.

Even so, the move is being closely watched by governments exploring their own approaches. 

New Zealand ’s Prime Minister has pledged to pursue similar laws, and officials in the Netherlands have advised parents to keep children under 15 off apps like TikTok and Snapchat.

As it stands, Australia now holds one of the toughest positions on youth access to social media . 

The issue caused unusual traffic spikes and affected multiple websites and apps worldwide. Downtime was reported by users of X, Google services, and the video game League of Legends. Even the Global South World site, run by Gjirafa Tech, was not spared from the outage. 

Cloudflare, which handles roughly one-fifth of global internet traffic, saw its stock fall 1.5% following the disruption.

“Earlier today, we failed our customers and the broader internet when a problem in Cloudflare network impacted large amounts of traffic that rely on us,” said Cloudflare’s chief technology officer Dane Knecht.

Experts said the outage exposed the risks of centralised internet infrastructure . 

Cloudflare supports about a third of the world ’s top websites, including AI platforms like OpenAI and Anthropic, as well as online retailers. 

Professor Alan Woodward of the University of Surrey said relying on a few major providers creates efficiency, but failures can have wide-ranging consequences.

Analysts also point to growing strain on digital networks. Jacob Bourne from Emarketer said rising demand from AI applications, streaming, and general web traffic is pushing systems beyond their limits, making outages more frequent and harder to resolve.

The company promised a detailed explanation of the incident and steps to prevent future problems, emphasising the critical role of infrastructure in keeping global internet services running smoothly.

Scam and fraud claims against Singapore’s digital banks have more than doubled in 2025, with 94 cases reported in the first eight months, up from 42 in all of 2024. The Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre (Fidrec) said these cases, worth S$2.5 million, mainly involved compromised credentials and impersonation scams, Straits Times reports. Victims were often deceived by phishing or scammers posing as officials. Fidrec added that claims against digital banks rose from 2.1% of total cases in 2023 to 8.7% in 2025, signalling a worrying trend as online banking expands.

Two Singaporeans arrested in Cambodia-based scam ring

Two Singaporean men, Wayne Soh You Chen and Brian Sie Eng Fa, have been deported and arrested for their alleged roles in a Cambodia-based scam syndicate accused of running government official impersonation scams. The syndicate, believed to be led by fugitive Ng Wei Liang, allegedly defrauded victims in at least 438 cases, costing S$41 million. Straits Times reports both men were captured abroad after months on the run, while 32 other members, including 25 Singaporeans and 7 Malaysians, remain at large.  

Autonomous vehicle testing

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has greenlit Grab and WeRide to conduct autonomous vehicle testing for their Ai.R fleet in Punggol. The trial will pave the way for Singapore’s first public autonomous shuttle service by early 2026. The service will link residents to key areas such as Punggol Coast MRT, bus interchanges, and shopping malls, Business Times reports. The AVs, trained to navigate local road conditions and weather, will gather real-world data to enhance their AI driving models. The programme will see test runs increase fourfold by year-end.  

Study links heavy social media use to mental distress

A national mental health study by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) has found that young people who spend over three hours daily on social media are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and stress. Based on interviews with 2,600 respondents aged 15 - 35, the research showed that 30.6% reported severe symptoms, while cyberbullying and body image issues were strong contributing factors. IMH noted that youth with higher resilience and social support were less likely to suffer mental health strain. The study was conducted with the Ministry of Health and NUS’s Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, Today Online reports.

5.5% - 7.5% pay rise for low-wage workers

The National Wages Council (NWC) has urged employers to grant built-in wage increases of 5.5% to 7.5% for workers earning up to S$2,700 a month from December 2025 to November 2026. Firms performing well should raise pay at the higher end of the range or by at least S$105 - S$125. The move, which covers about 57,600 workers, comes amid modest GDP growth of 1.5% - 2.5% for 2025 and persistent cost pressures. The council also announced higher pay floors for administrators and drivers under the Occupational Progressive Wages scheme, set to take effect in July 2026.

What they said

“Mariam was forcibly taken from the market in front of everyone,” one local source said. Timbuktu region mayor Yehia Tandina told the Associated Press: “The same men brought her back to Independence Square in Tonka and executed her in front of a crowd.” State television described Cissé as “a young woman who simply wanted to promote her community through her TikTok posts and encourage the Malian army in its missions to protect people and their property.”

From the United Kingdom to Australia, China, and Brazil, each country is exploring new ways of making the internet safer.

Here are four countries and the restrictions on internet access:

UK’s proof of age

Starting July 2025, the UK implemented a cybersecurity law that required children to prove their age to access the most harmful material on social media and adult websites.

Platforms that host content such as pornography, self-harm, or eating disorder promotion will be legally required to introduce secure age-verification systems, including facial scans, photo ID matching, or credit card checks.

Failure to comply could cost companies up to 10% of their global annual revenue or £18 million, whichever is higher. “This is one of the boldest steps anywhere in the world to reclaim the digital space for young people,” said Technology Secretary Peter Kyle. He described the policy as a response to the mental health crisis among children exposed to “toxic algorithms” and harmful online material.

Australia’s ban of under-16s from social media

Under the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024, passed last November, anyone under 16 will soon be banned from creating accounts on major platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, X (formerly Twitter), Threads, Reddit, and Kick.

The policy decision is the first of its kind anywhere in the world and is designed to shield minors from addictive and harmful content, cyberbullying, and predatory behaviour. Communications Minister Anika Wells admitted the policy is imperfect but insisted it was necessary: “There is no perfect solution to keeping young Australians safe online. But the social media minimum age laws will make a meaningful difference.” Platforms will be legally required to enforce the ban using age-verification technology.

China’s only verified influencers regulation

In East Asia, China’s Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) now requires social media influencers to prove their professional credentials before posting about sensitive topics such as law, medicine, finance, or education. Under the new policy, creators must show a degree, license, or certification to speak on these subjects. Platforms like Douyin (China’s TikTok), Weibo, and Bilibili are required to verify credentials and flag posts containing AI-generated material or research references.

Persons who misrepresent qualifications could lose monetisation rights, face temporary bans, or be fined. The CAC says the move aims to curb misinformation and promote a “cleaner cyberspace,” part of President Xi Jinping’s wider campaign to ensure online content is “factual, educational, and socially responsible.”

Brazil’s cyber responsibility

A landmark Supreme Court ruling in June 2025 declared that social media companies must act immediately to remove hate speech and criminal content once they become aware of it.

Previously, companies could only be penalised if they failed to remove content after a court order. Now, platforms are directly responsible for what circulates on their networks.

“We preserve freedom of expression as much as possible,” wrote Supreme Court President Justice Luis Roberto Barroso, “without allowing the world to fall into an abyss of incivility,” he added. The ruling also urged Congress to revise Article 19 of the country’s main internet law, the Marco Civil da Internet, to strengthen protections against disinformation and online violence.

Over recent years, the government has steadily tightened control over what citizens can read, post, or even discuss. Key online platforms once central to public conversation — Twitter (now X), Clubhouse, Telegram, and the influential Tanzanian forum JamiiForums — have been blocked or restricted.

Many users now rely on VPNs to access these platforms. The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) denies restricting the use of VPNs but requires users to notify the regulator when using such applications — a move clearly designed to monitor and discourage digital privacy.

JamiiForums, often called “Tanzania’s WikiLeaks” for its role in exposing corruption and hosting open debates, was suspended for 90 days in September after it shared statements by politician Humphrey Polepole about President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s private meetings with a Zimbabwean businessman. Officials accused the site of “misleading the public” and “undermining national unity.”

This digital crackdown has gone hand in hand with pressure on the press. Jambo TV received three separate takedown orders in a single month.

Under Section 19 of the Media Services Act (2016) and Regulations 17–19 of the Media Services Regulations (2017), all journalists must hold government-issued press cards — a system many see as turning accreditation into a tool of control. Even entertainment programs now avoid political jokes or commentary, fearful that a single remark could bring punishment.

The campaign of control has reached beyond media into religious life

When Bishop Josephat Gwajima, a CCM lawmaker, accused the government of detentions and disappearances, his Glory of Christ Church in Dar es Salaam was swiftly deregistered and sealed by police as hundreds of worshippers protested. Officials said his sermons violated the “acceptable conduct” of religious organisations — a warning that even ruling-party insiders are not safe from retribution.

Disappearances have become part of Tanzania’s political landscape

Earlier this October, Humphrey Polepole, former ambassador to Cuba and a sharp critic of the administration, was abducted by unknown assailants shortly after resigning from his post and denouncing government abuses.

According to UN experts, there have been over 200 cases of enforced disappearances since 2019, forming what they call a “pattern of intimidation” against journalists, activists, opposition members, and other dissenting voices.

At a recent discussion hosted by Tanzania’s Tech and Media Convergency (TMC), participants described the internet as a field of “ digital landmines, ” where a single post can end a career. For many Tanzanians, silence now feels safer than speech.

But silencing truth has not stopped lies

With independent journalism under siege and online spaces censored, misinformation spreads unchecked. In early 2025, fact-checking platform JamiiCheck analysed 192 political claims circulating online. Of these, 128 were false, most targeting opposition parties. 

Digital rights advocates believe that Tanzania’s Cybercrime Act and Electronic and Postal Communications Act are enforced selectively . Posts critical of the government vanish almost instantly, while pro-government falsehoods stay online — turning digital platforms into yet another instrument of political control.

As speech grows more restricted, political competition is also narrowing

The main opposition party, CHADEMA, has been disqualified from the race after refusing to sign an electoral code of conduct it called biased. Its leader, Tundu Lissu, faces treason charges widely viewed as politically motivated. He was arrested after a peaceful rally calling for electoral reform and accused of spreading false information — charges that could carry the death penalty.

Dozens of his supporters have been harassed or barred from attending his trial

Another opposition candidate, Luhaga Mpina, of the Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT–Wazalendo), has also been banned from running . Once a senior CCM member, Mpina left the ruling party in August after being blocked from seeking re-nomination in his longtime parliamentary seat in Kisesa. His candidacy was seen as a serious challenge to President Samia — until the electoral commission disqualified him.

Many Tanzanians still remember the 2020 election, when the internet was shut down on polling day . Civil society groups warn that another blackout could leave voters, journalists, and observers in the dark — especially in rural areas. Without open communication, they say, rumours will thrive and public trust in the results will collapse.

Tanzania’s crisis reflects a wider African trend: the fusion of authoritarian control with digital technology. Across the continent, governments are using surveillance laws, internet shutdowns, and disinformation to shape public narratives and suppress dissent. But Tanzania stands out — for both its intensity and its timing — as it approaches a pivotal election where access to truth may matter as much as the vote itself.

Tanzania’s 2025 election will test more than political loyalty. It will test whether democracy can survive when speech, information, and belief are all under siege.

Restoring transparency will take more than promises. It will require protecting independent journalism, safeguarding free expression, investing in digital literacy, and dismantling the culture of fear that now grips the nation.

Until then, Tanzanians move toward the polls not only uncertain of their choices — but uncertain of what to believe.

The opinions and thoughts expressed in this article reflect only the author's views.

Mweha Msemo is a Tanzanian freelance journalist based in Dar es Salaam. He focuses on stories of marginalised communities, social justice, and digital rights. With a passion for amplifying unheard voices, his work highlights the lives and challenges of underrepresented groups, reflecting his commitment to raising awareness and fostering understanding.

While the bill aims to strengthen national resilience against hacking , fraud, and online abuse, there are concerns that some provisions could blur the line between regulation and surveillance and limit online freedoms.

Prior to the drafting of the amendment bill, the Ministry of Communication, together with the Cyber Security Authority, invited public input .

Here’s what you need to know about the Bill:

The CSA’s proposed investigative, arrest and prosecutorial power may perhaps be one of the biggest and concerning changes in the Amendment Bill. This means that the Cyber Security Authority, which was originally set up as a regulator, can now investigate and prosecute cybercrime on the authority of the Attorney-General. It can even exercise police powers, including arrest, search, and seizure. Under the existing law , the Authority could only enforce compliance through administrative means and recommend prosecutions. However, now, the Authority may now prosecute cybercrime cases directly, apply for confiscation orders, and freeze assets under section 59B, which states that: “(1) The Authority shall, upon the occurrence of a cybersecurity incident or a cybercrime, conduct criminal investigations and prosecute the same. (2) The Authority shall have the jurisdiction to prosecute all offences under the Electronic Transactions Act, 2008 (Act 772)." 

Under the new Section 59B, the CSA can seize and confiscate property, money, or assets believed to be connected to cybercrime. Even if a criminal case fails, the Authority may still pursue civil recovery, meaning your assets could be taken without a conviction if linked to an alleged offence. Section 59B (3) states, “Where a person is convicted of a cybercrime under this Act, the Authority may apply to the Court for an order to confiscate moneys, proceeds, benefits, properties, and assets purchased by a person with proceeds derived from or in the commission of the cybercrime.” The act goes on in subsection (5) that: “In relation to subsection (6), if criminal prosecution fails, civil asset recovery should still proceed, and confiscation orders should have the effect of a civil judgment appealable from the High Court to the Court of Appeal.” Under the existing law, the CSA has no power to confiscate proceeds of crime; this power is reserved for the Attorney General’s office and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

New provisions under sections 59C - 59I give the CSA powers to compel individuals, service providers, or companies to hand over data, including computer records and personal information. Investigators can apply ex parte, without notifying the affected person, to obtain search and preservation orders over data stored on computers or servers. Section 59C(1) states; “The Authority may, for the purposes of carrying out an investigation in respect of a contravention of the Act, Regulations, or any other relevant enactment by the owner of a critical information infrastructure, a licensee, a service provider or any other person, by notice in writing, require a person to: attend at a time and place specified in the notice; and furnish the Authority with information related to a matter relevant to the investigation.”  The goal is to make it easier to investigate cybercrime, but this raises issues about the possibility of opening the door to mass data access and unwarranted surveillance.

For the first time, Ghana’s cyber law explicitly covers Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, cloud technology, and quantum computing. The CSA will now set security standards and certify emerging technologies before they are deployed, from banking algorithms to smart home systems, under sections 4A(a) – (c), 58A. In addition, the authority shall accredit non-profit cybersecurity institutions under section 58B. This could help ensure safer technology use, but it also places innovation under state control. In this regard, the CSA becomes Ghana’s tech certifier, which invariably expands its remit from cybersecurity to technology governance.

The Bill introduces new online offences under Sections 67A and 67B, targeting cyberbullying, stalking, and online harassment, especially of children. However, it also makes it a crime to “deliberately spread false or misleading information” online. The problem? The law doesn’t define what counts as “false or misleading.” This vagueness could criminalise legitimate reporting, satire, or political commentary. Penalties range from fines of up to five thousand penalty units to 25 thousand penalty units to three to five years’ imprisonment and not more than ten years, depending on the offence.

The amendments create new funding streams for the CSA, including: 12% of Ghana’s Communication Service Tax, 9% of corporate tax, and 50% of fines collected under the Act. Under the existing law, the authority relies on parliamentary allocations, donor support, and service fees for funding.

Failure to register critical infrastructure, report cyber incidents, or comply with CSA directives could now attract hefty fines of up to 50,000 penalty units. The proposed amendment raises penalties up to 25,000 penalty units, 50,000 penalty units, and 5 - 10 years imprisonment. The monetary value of one penalty unit in Ghana is GHC 12, which means the monetary value of 50,000 penalty units is GHC 600,000 (approximately US$55,000).

Generally, for Ghanaian citizens who use the internet for diverse purposes, including social media, e-commerce and banking, the Amendment Bill, once passed, would regulate online behaviour, digital data, social media content (particularly that considered fake or misleading), devices, and workplace systems. With the intent to sanitise and make Ghana’s cyberspace safer.

The ordinance specifically calls for elementary school children to avoid using smartphones after 9 p.m., while students under 18 are encouraged to switch off by 10 p.m. Although use for study and work is exempt, the rules are designed to prompt families to set their own household guidelines and prioritise sufficient sleep.

City officials said the push came after parents raised alarms about children refusing to attend school, with excessive smartphone use suspected of contributing to social withdrawal. “The phrase ‘two hours’ has been misunderstood and oversimplified. The ordinance is intended to encourage families to self-check usage habits and discuss rules together,” Mayor Masafumi Koki said. 

Supporters argue that the ordinance is an important step toward tackling sleep loss and truancy linked to smartphone overuse. However, others warn that the measure risks becoming government overreach into personal life, questioning the scientific evidence connecting school absenteeism to screen addiction.

To track its impact, the city’s educational board will offer consultations for parents and conduct surveys on how families are setting rules and whether children’s sleep habits improve. Officials say the ordinance will be periodically reviewed, with adjustments made based on feedback and data.

What they said

"Our Chinese counterparts have come with a very aggressive ask. We will see if we can get there at present. We are not willing to sacrifice national security for a social media app," U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent said on Monday. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer added, "From the Chinese perspective, they view as part and parcel of the potential TikTok deal a variety of matters, whether it's tariffs or other measures that have been taken over the years." A Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesperson described U.S. demands as "a typical act of unilateral bullying and economic coercion, a serious violation of the consensus reached by the Chinese and U.S. heads of state in their phone call, and could severely impact global trade as well as the stability of industrial and supply chains." Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated, "Regarding TikTok, China has repeatedly stated its position." William Reinsch, a senior trade adviser at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, said, "I'm not expecting anything substantive between the United States and China unless and until there is a one-on-one meeting between Trump and (Chinese President) Xi." 

“I did about eight press conferences in a row, day after day after day. Then I missed one because I was in the Oval Office… and the rumour started spreading, this horrible rumour that Trump is no longer with us,” he said.

“I got to the club and people were asking, ‘Sir, are you okay?’ The fake news was at it again. So today I gave them about a three-hour press conference,” he added. 

Trump also shared remarks from his White House physician, Dr. Ronny Jackson, who previously served Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

“They said to him, ‘Doctor, could we ask you a question? Who’s the healthiest, Bush, Obama, or Trump?’ He said, ‘There’s not even a contest. By far, the healthiest is President Donald J. Trump.’ I said, I love that guy,” Trump recounted, adding with a laugh, “I’m sure that Bush and Obama don’t feel the same way, but who the hell cares?”

Trump has in the past accused the media of spreading “fake news ” about his health and fitness for office.

Officials say the policy is aimed at curbing hate speech, misinformation and cybercrime .

Among the 26 social media sites affected were photo and video messaging app Snapchat, professional networking platform LinkedIn, online forum site Reddit, and free messaging app WhatsApp. 

Only five platforms — TikTok, Viber, Witk, Nimbuzz, and Popo Live — met the deadline, while Telegram and Global Diary remain under review. Meta has been in contact with Nepalese officials about the requirements.

The ban has drawn criticism from opposition figures, who warn it threatens freedom of expression. 

“Regulation is necessary, but the government must first identify what the problem is and where it lies,” said Raj Pandey, leader of the parliament’s main opposition party. “If social media is shut down, the country will become chaotic. We oppose this decision.”

“Regulation is necessary, but the government must first identify what the problem is and where it lies,” Pandey said. “If social media is shut down, the country will become chaotic. We oppose this decision.”

Nepal has an estimated 14.3 million active social media users in Nepal as of early 2025, or nearly half of its population, according to Data Reportal .

Around 14.3 million people use Facebook, 3.9 million use Instagram, 2 million use LinkedIn and 390,000 use X.

Today, Prado anchors news programs for UnsionTV and serves as a correspondent for TC Televisión , two of Ecuador’s established networks. At the same time, he is building a strong presence on social media, especially TikTok, where audiences of all ages—from children to his 87-year-old grandmother—follow his updates.

For Prado, television remains the backbone of journalism. “Traditional media gave me credibility”, he says. But he is equally aware that audiences have migrated online. His approach has been to merge the two worlds: producing stories with the rigor of broadcast journalism and then adapting them for digital platforms.

That philosophy shaped the creation of Wilo Prado Estudio , his Cuenca-based company. The studio specializes in digital content and audiovisual production for companies and commercial brands, while also providing space for creators to record podcasts, film shows, or simply share their stories. Prado often emphasizes that victims of violence or injustice—rather than lawyers or spokespeople—are the ones invited to speak directly in his studio. “What better than the source itself telling their story?” he explains.

Prado’s dual role as journalist and entrepreneur is grounded in academic research. He recently completed a Master’s degree, producing both his personal brand and the studio as part of his final deliverables. His work included a scientific article on TikTok, digital journalism, and its impact on news consumption in Cuenca, published in Revista Pacha .

What sets Prado apart in a crowded digital space is his insistence on accuracy. “I don’t publish a story unless I’m 100% sure of it”, he says, even if that means posting days after others. His followers often comment: We were waiting for you, because we believe you. For Prado, that trust is the greatest achievement.

As he tells younger creators: “Don’t think about millions of followers or fame. Think about your focus. What do you want to achieve? For me, it’s making sure people who watch my content believe me”.

In Africa, the youth unemployment rate can reach as high as 53%, even hitting 52.3% in South Africa, while North Africa averages around 30.6%—a stark reminder of the systemic barriers confronting young job seekers.

In response, a digital revolution is underway. Armed with smartphones, internet access, and creativity, Africa’s youth are transforming social media platforms into career launchpads. The global creator economy has exploded, valued at approximately $190 billion in 2024 and expected to hit $224 billion in 2025. Projections suggest the sector could balloon to $528 billion by 2030.

In Africa, this trend is similarly powerful. The continent's creator economy is valued at over $5 billion, with creators leveraging cultural relevance and online influence to start businesses, launch products, and raise capital.

In this context, content creation is more than a hobby; it’s becoming a legitimate career path . Over 207 million creators now operate worldwide, with many earning a full-time income. However, monetisation remains challenging; only 4% make over $100,000 annually, and nearly 60% struggle financially. Burnout and maintaining consistent content output are also growing concerns.

It said the page lists fake jobs and demands Ksh48,187 (US$375) for what it calls an “Africa Regional Labour Accreditation Certificate.”

In a public statement, the ministry said the Zimbabwean government does not charge for job applications and that any official hiring into the public service is handled by the Public Service Commission.

"The page purports to be recruiting staff for the Embassy of Zimbabwe in Kenya and provides a list of fraudulent job offers,” the ministry said.

“Members of the public are advised that this Facebook page does not represent the Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe in Kenya, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Republic of Zimbabwe, nor the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe."

Authorities have launched investigations into who is behind the scam and are working with social media companies and police to shut down the fake account.

Officials also urged the public to be careful when looking for jobs abroad and to always check with official government offices or embassies to avoid falling victim to fraud .

US President Donald Trump has expressed a dismissive attitude towards aggressive acts linked to Beijing, including recent hacking incidents and the arrest of Chinese nationals involved in smuggling a pathogen. Speaking on 'Sunday Morning Futures', Trump downplayed these issues, stating, 'That’s the way the world works', comparing the behaviour to US actions. This approach suggests a downplaying of US-China tensions, emphasising mutual espionage activities as part of global diplomacy.

Crackdown on gay erotica in China

According to reports, China is intensifying its crackdown on young female authors writing gay erotica, targeting those publishing on the Taiwanese platform Haitang Literature City. Since February, approximately 30 predominantly female writers have been arrested, facing charges of producing obscene material. This crackdown reflects the broader censorship challenges in China and highlights a social and legal pushback against the state’s restrictive anti-obscenity laws, which disproportionately target gay content.

Trump’s strategic deal with TikTok

President Donald Trump has announced a potential buyer for TikTok amidst the US-China tensions over data security concerns linked to the app, owned by China's ByteDance. This potential transaction, pending China's governmental approval, might influence diplomatic relations, with Trump emphasising the necessity for Chinese leader Xi Jinping's consent. The backdrop includes US claims of national security threats, with ByteDance's ongoing legal battles over the app's forced sale.

Indoctrination concerns in Tibetan schools

An alarming report by the Tibet Action Institute highlights indoctrination practices in Chinese state-run boarding schools for Tibetan children. This initiative is reportedly aimed at cultural assimilation, pushing Mandarin instruction while suppressing Tibetan language and religious practices. This development has raised international human rights concerns. Accounts describe harsh conditions and cultural suppression as means of reinforcing Chinese Communist Party loyalty, amidst the backdrop of historical tensions in the region.

Flood crisis in China’s Guizhou Province

According to reports , the Guizhou province of China is significantly affected by severe flooding, with over 40,000 residents evacuating the area for safety. The city of Rongjiang faced destructive river levels unseen since 1954, prompting authorities to issue the highest-level alerts due to potential dam failures. This situation underscores challenges in adapting infrastructure to endure climate extremes, as the region faces repeated weather-related crises within a short span.

In 2017, he founded Um Diabético , a digital media outlet focused entirely on diabetes. What began as a personal project quickly grew into Latin America ’s largest diabetes-focused platform, now reaching over 12 million people each month.

Rooted in lived experience, Um Diabético offers content across all major digital platforms — from videos and interviews to documentaries and podcasts. The platform covers a wide range of topics, including health education, innovation, public policy, nutrition, and quality of life. Its mission is to provide accessible, reliable, and relevant information not just for people with diabetes, but also for families, caregivers, and society at large.

More than just reporting on diabetes, Um Diabético speaks directly to those living with the condition, with empathy, respect, and purpose. For Tom Bueno, social media has become a vital tool for reaching underserved communities, especially in a country like Brazil, where 70% of the population depends on an overburdened public healthcare system.

"I believe there's still so much to do in terms of information and education about health and diabetes", Bueno says. His purpose is to turn Um Diabético into a trusted health communication outlet, bridging the gap between real stories and real change.