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Google to go further on ads transparency and data access for researchers as EU digital rulebook reboot kicks in on August 24, 2023 at 10:48 am

Published

3 years ago

August 24, 2023

Google has said it will increase how much information it provides about ads targeted at users in the European Union. It is also expanding data access to third party researchers studying systemic content risks in the region. The actions are among a number of steps it’s announcing today which it says are aimed at complying with the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA).

A DSA compliance deadline for larger platforms with more than 45 million regional users — 19 of which the EU designated back in April — kicks in on Friday (August 25).

Ahead of that deadline we’ve seen a string of announcements from other tech giants setting out how they intend to respond to the bloc’s law, including from TikTok, Meta and Snap.

Google has now added its 2 (Euro) cents — and, as with other platform giants, it’s spinning the measures as an expansion of existing efforts, rather than a step-change. But there’s no doubt all the platforms are being forced to be more open than they were, with the threat of major fines (of up to 6% of global annual turnover) for violating the pan-EU regime.

Tech giants could choose to stop operating in the region if they don’t like the EU’s new rules. And Amazon and Zalando are challenging their designations as VLOPs in court. But outright abandoning a market of circa 450 million consumers is not the sort of decision that would fly in the average C-suite. Even if all eyes will be on what Twitter/X’s erratic owner Elon Musk will do.

The social media platform has also been designated a VLOP — but, since Musk took over Twitter (now X), it’s been moving in the polar opposite direction to DSA compliance. Hence the Commission warning for months that the platform faces huge work if it’s to avoid breaching the DSA.

The other tech giants on the VLOP/VLOSE list can at least be confident they haven’t painted such a massive Musk-shaped target on their backs when it comes to playing by EU rules. Although they should expect the detail of their claimed compliance to be scrutinized equally carefully by European Commission regulators. Just, maybe, with better odds on not being first in line for enforcement.

“We will be expanding the Ads Transparency Center, a global searchable repository of advertisers across all our platforms, to meet specific DSA provisions and providing additional information on targeting for ads served in the European Union,” writes Google in a blog post entitled “complying with the Digital Services Act”. “These steps build on our many years of work to expand the transparency of online ads.”

While on data access for researchers, the adtech giant adds: “Building on our prior efforts to help advance public understanding of our services, we will increase data access for researchers looking to understand more about how Google Search, YouTube, Google Maps, Google Play and Shopping work in practice, and conducting research related to understanding systemic content risks in the EU.”

Google also claims its approach to DSA compliance includes steps to boost transparency around its content moderation decisions; provide users with different ways to contact it; and update its reporting and appeals processes to include “specified types of information and context about our decisions”.

It also says it’s rolled out a new Transparency Center which it says will present information about its policies on a product-by-product basis, as well as enabling people to find its reporting and appeals tools; access the Transparency Reports; and learn more about its policy development process.

In another DSA measure, Google is expanding the scope of Transparency Reports — saying the reports will now include information about how it handles content moderation across more of its services, including Google Search, Google Play, Google Maps and Shopping.

The tech giant’s blog post affirms that it will be assessing risks in areas such as illegal content dissemination, fundamental rights, public health and civic discourse, and providing reports to EU regulators and independent auditors, as the DSA demands.

“We are committed to assessing risks related to our largest online platforms and our search engine in line with DSA requirements,” it writes on that, noting that as well as reporting on these risks to the EU and independent auditors it will publish a public summary of the assessments “at a later date”. So it will be interesting to see how quickly those assessments make it into the public domain (and how much detail Google’s summaries contain).

The DSA will eventually apply to a far wider range of digital platforms and services, with a general deadline for compliance falling early neat year. But the regulation puts extra obligations (and an tighter compliance timeline) on so-called very large online platforms (VLOPs) and very large online search engines (VLOSE).

These additional requirements are aimed at driving transparency and accountability around platforms’ use of AI and other recommender algorithms, with mandates they give users more choice over how algorithms shape the content they see; proactively address AI-driven risks on their services; and give up data to independent researchers so they can study the societal impacts of algorithmic content-shaping systems.

The EU is not intending to rely solely on independent researchers to do the leg work of interrogating algorithmic effects; last year it opened a new AI research hub in Seville, Spain which will support the Commission’s oversight of Big Tech. But the bloc also wants the regulation to fire up platform research and algorithmic auditing across the region — to make Europe a world leader in interrogating the impacts of AIs.

Another area which is regulated by the DSA is VLOPs’/VLOSEs’ recommender systems that are powered by profiling users (aka content “personalization”, as platforms prefer to dub it). They must offer users a way to opt out of such tracking — meaning users in the EU should be able to receive content feeds or search results that are non-personalized/not based on the platform analyzing their activity to predict what might engage them the most.

Google’s blog post does not mention any measures it’s taking to comply with this aspect of the DSA so we’ve reached out to the company with questions. Most likely this is because it does already offer a way for users to turn off “personalized” search results if you dig into the Google settings. Update: YouTube also recently announced it was disabling watch recommendations for users who have watch history turned off.

The pan-EU regulation also puts some limits on the use of tracking and profiling for targeting advertising — with a total prohibition on tracking minors to microtarget them with ads; and a ban on the use of sensitive personal data for ad targeting.

Google does not mention the latter requirement — so we’ve asked how it intends to comply with that. Update: Google says it has a long standing policy which it claims prohibits advertisers from using sensitive interest categories, including sexual interests, race and religion, to target ads to users.

On minors, its blog post highlights a decision it took two years ago when it said it would block personalized advertising (“based on the age, gender, or interests”) to anyone under age 18. “The DSA will require other providers to take similar approaches,” it goes on to suggest.

Google does not name any rivals in relation to that suggestion but the likes of Meta and Snap do appear to be continuing to try to target minors with some of the parameters Google claims it does not use — such as age and location (in the case of Meta); and age, location and language settings (Snap).

So it will be also be interesting to see whether EU regulators pick up on discrepancies in how platforms are framing what is and isn’t personalization/profiling in an ad-targeting context. (Snap, for instance, talks about language settings, age and location being “basic essential information” — but, on age, at least, Google seems to be claiming otherwise.)

Snap confirms EU users will soon be able to opt out of content ‘personalization’

Musk at Twitter has ‘huge work’ ahead to comply with EU rules, warns bloc

Business

GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT RETURNS FOR ITS 5TH EDITION AT THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT – HOUSE OF LORDS, PALACE OF WESTMINSTER

Published

4 weeks ago

May 16, 2026

Bolanle Media Staff

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Theme: “People, Planet, and Profit in the Age of AI and Innovation”

London, United Kingdom — The Global Sustainability Summit (GSS) is officially back for its landmark 5th Edition, continuing its legacy as one of the leading international platforms driving sustainable development, climate action, ethical investment, innovation, and global collaboration.

Convened annually at the prestigious British Parliament, House of Lords, Palace of Westminster, by Ambassador Canon Chinenem Otto, the Summit has, over the last four years, successfully fostered international dialogue and partnerships that have contributed to the advancement of global sustainability goals, the establishment of sustainability-focused ministries, departments and policy structures across national and subnational governments, and the attraction of major investors into sustainable development projects, corporations and emerging economies.

This year’s summit, themed “People, Planet, and Profit in the Age of AI and Innovation,” will explore how emerging technologies, responsible leadership, sustainable finance, innovation, and global partnerships can shape a more inclusive, resilient and environmentally conscious future.

The 5th Edition promises to be the most impactful yet, bringing together world leaders, policymakers, diplomats, investors, academics, innovators, climate experts and youth leaders from across the globe to discuss actionable solutions toward achieving a sustainable and equitable future.

Among the distinguished speakers, delegates and honorees already lined up for the Summit are:

• His Excellency Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq — Executive Governor of Kwara State, Nigeria and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum

• His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Otu — Executive Governor of Cross River State, Nigeria

• Ambassador Patricia Espinosa Cantellano — Former Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Former Foreign Minister of Mexico

• Lord Marvin Rees, Baron Rees of Easton OBE — Member of the House of Lords, United Kingdom

• Hon. Neema K. Lugangira — Secretary-General of Women Political Leaders (WPL), Brussels and Former Member of Parliament

• Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah — President of the Republic of Namibia

• His Excellency Nangolo Mbumba — Former President of Namibia

• Former President of Tanzania

• Her Excellency Ambassador Professor Olufolake AbdulRazaq — First Lady of Kwara State, Nigeria and Chairperson of Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum

• Your Excellency Dr. Dikko Umar Radda, PhD, CON — Executive Governor of Katsina State and Chairman of the Northwest Governors Forum, Nigeria

• Hon. Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma — Governor of Khomas Region, Namibia

• H.E. Mr. Veiccoh Nghiwete — High Commissioner of the Republic of Namibia to the United Kingdom

• Her Excellency Ms. Macenje “Che Che” Mazoka — High Commissioner of Zambia to the United Kingdom

• Ms. Danielle Newman — Partner Lead, ICT, World Economic Forum

• Leanne Elliott Young — Co-founder, Institute of Digital Fashion & CommuneEast

• Ms. Chloe Russell — Producer & Presenter, Art, Science and Nature

• Professor Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger — University of Cambridge & University of Waterloo

• Dr. Alexandra R. Harrington — IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law (WCEL)

• Professor Payam Akhavan — Massey College, University of Toronto

• Mr. Mallai C. E. Sathya — President, Dravida Vetri Kazhagam and International Movement for Tamil Culture Asia

The Summit will feature high-level panel discussions, strategic investment conversations, sustainability awards, policy dialogues, innovation showcases, youth engagement sessions and international networking opportunities focused on climate resilience, ethical financing, food-water-energy sustainability, circular economy, artificial intelligence, diplomacy and sustainable development.

Speaking ahead of the Summit, Convener Ambassador Canon Chinenem Otto noted:

“As the world rapidly evolves through artificial intelligence and technological innovation, we must ensure that sustainability remains people-centered, environmentally responsible and economically inclusive. The Global Sustainability Summit continues to serve as a bridge connecting governments, institutions, innovators and investors to accelerate practical sustainability solutions globally. Our fifth edition is not only a celebration of progress made over the years, but also a renewed call for global collaboration and actionable impact toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and Net Zero ambitions.”

The Global Sustainability Summit continues to position itself as a catalyst for transformative partnerships and sustainable global progress, reinforcing the urgent need for collective action toward a more resilient and sustainable future.

More announcements regarding additional speakers, partners and summit activities will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

News

US May Completely Cut Income Tax Due to Tariff Revenue

Published

7 months ago

November 30, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

President Donald Trump says the United States might one day get rid of federal income tax because of money the government collects from tariffs on imported goods. Tariffs are extra taxes the U.S. puts on products that come from other countries.

What Trump Is Saying

Trump has said that tariff money could become so large that it might allow the government to cut income taxes “almost completely.” He has also talked about possibly phasing out income tax over the next few years if tariff money keeps going up.

How Taxes Work Now

Right now, the federal government gets much more money from income taxes than from tariffs. Income taxes bring in trillions of dollars each year, while tariffs bring in only a small part of that total. Because of this gap, experts say tariffs would need to grow by many times to replace income tax money.

Questions From Experts

Many economists and tax experts doubt that tariffs alone could pay for the whole federal budget. They warn that very high tariffs could make many imported goods more expensive for shoppers in the United States. This could hit lower- and middle‑income families hardest, because they spend a big share of their money on everyday items.

What Congress Must Do

The president can change some tariffs, but only Congress can change or end the federal income tax. That means any real plan to remove income tax would need new laws passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. So far, there is no detailed law or full budget plan on this idea.

What It Means Right Now

For now, Trump’s comments are a proposal, not a change in the law. People and businesses still have to pay federal income tax under the current rules. The debate over using tariffs instead of income taxes is likely to continue among lawmakers, experts, and voters.

News

Epstein Files to Be Declassified After Trump Order

Published

7 months ago

November 20, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Former President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing federal agencies to declassify all government files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier whose death in 2019 continues to fuel controversy and speculation.

The order, signed Wednesday at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, instructs the FBI, Department of Justice, and intelligence agencies to release documents detailing Epstein’s network, finances, and alleged connections to high-profile figures. Trump described the move as “a step toward transparency and public trust,” promising that no names would be shielded from scrutiny.

“This information belongs to the American people,” Trump said in a televised statement. “For too long, powerful interests have tried to bury the truth. That ends now.”

U.S. intelligence officials confirmed that preparations for the release are already underway. According to sources familiar with the process, the first batch of documents is expected to be made public within the next 30 days, with additional releases scheduled over several months.

Reactions poured in across the political spectrum. Supporters praised the decision as a bold act of accountability, while critics alleged it was politically motivated, timed to draw attention during a volatile election season. Civil rights advocates, meanwhile, emphasized caution, warning that some records could expose private victims or ongoing legal matters.

The Epstein case, which implicated figures in politics, business, and entertainment, remains one of the most talked-about scandals of the past decade. Epstein’s connections to influential individuals—including politicians, royals, and executives—have long sparked speculation about the extent of his operations and who may have been involved.

Former federal prosecutor Lauren Fields said the release could mark a turning point in public discourse surrounding government transparency. “Regardless of political stance, this declassification has the potential to reshape how Americans view power and accountability,” Fields noted.

Officials say redactions may still occur to protect sensitive intelligence or personal information, but the intent is a near-complete disclosure. For years, critics of the government’s handling of Epstein’s case have accused agencies of concealing evidence or shielding elites from exposure. Trump’s order promises to change that narrative.

As anticipation builds, journalists, legal analysts, and online commentators are preparing for what could be one of the most consequential information releases in recent history.