In July 2026, the Australian government will bring legislation to Parliament for a new framework to make online platforms pay for news. Known as the News Bargaining Incentive (NBI), it would replace, if adopted, a different mechanism adopted in 2021. The NBI involves, as this Global Trends Flash discusses, a levy on total Australian revenue from all platform activities; and applies only to certain large online platforms whether they carry news or not. This has triggered controversy among Big Tech companies and US trade groups generally. The government developed the NBI once Meta decided to stop carrying news on its platforms in Australia in 2024.

Singapore regulator, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) closed consultations on proposed revisions to the Code of practice for info-communication facilities in buildings (COPIF). Under the revised COPIF, new buildings shall be provided with in-building cabling facilities enabling residential fixed broadband connectivity exceeding 10 Gbps, while mobile coverage should be extended to basement carparks. The COPIF review also addressed aspects such as access to lampposts by mobile operators, access to land, and better coordination among utility providers to minimise civil works. This Global Trends Flash also explains how Hong Kong recently amended its rules to pursue similar objectives.

According to a recently updated Global Trends benchmark, the global quantum technology research and development (R&D) landscape is becoming increasingly industry-focused.

Korea’s three major mobile operators agreed on 9 April 2026 to provide unlimited 400 Kbps data to all subscribers once monthly allowances expire, estimated to benefit over 7m users. The commitment, coordinated by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), implements the Digital Inclusion Act and follows a series of security breaches involving carriers and online platforms.

China’s booming market for artificial intelligence (AI) agents has drawn international attention due to the far-reaching economic, industrial and social impacts. This Global Trends report explains the context and significance of this new phenomenon. It also discusses how the Chinese government has been addressing both the opportunities and challenges brought by the fast adoption of AI agents in China. By updating several policies and laws, China is now the first country in the world specifically regulating AI agents.

The Korean Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced the deployment of an AI-based deepfake detection model for the 3 June local elections. The tool, developed jointly with the National Forensic Service, achieved 92% accuracy in verification tests. The move follows a sharp increase in election-related deepfake content, with over 10,000 cases detected during the 2025 presidential election.