From AI Treaties to Social Media Bans: 5 Shocking Global Shifts from Late 2025

These five dispatches from late 2025 reveal a clear trend: governments globally are escalating their efforts to control technology and assert authority in novel ways.

By Rakesh Raman
New Delhi | December 17, 2025

Introduction: The Stories Beneath the Noise

In an era of non-stop information, it’s easy for the daily flood of headlines to obscure the signals of profound global change. The news cycle churns relentlessly, but beneath the surface of the major stories, under-the-radar developments are signaling tectonic shifts with far greater long-term consequences. These developments often go unnoticed, yet they offer a clear glimpse into the future of governance, technology, and individual rights.

This article cuts through the noise to highlight five pivotal developments from December 2025. From a nation banning social media for its youth to the world’s first legally binding treaty on artificial intelligence, these stories reveal significant shifts in how governments are confronting the challenges of the modern world. Here, we unpack what makes each of these events so significant and what they signal for the year to come.

1. Australia’s World-First Ban: Social Media Goes Dark for Under-16s

In a move with global ramifications, Australia is proceeding with a “world-first” ban that prevents individuals under the age of 16 from accessing social media. This controversial legislation, which directly affects major digital platforms, is designed to safeguard children from a growing list of online dangers.

The initiative represents one of the most aggressive government interventions into the digital lives of young people to date. While the stated goal is child protection, the policy ignites a critical debate. It pits the responsibility of the state to protect its most vulnerable citizens against fundamental questions of digital freedom, parental rights, and the immense technical challenges of enforcing such a widespread ban. The world is watching to see if this bold experiment in digital regulation becomes a new global standard or a cautionary tale.

2. A Legal First: Europe Creates a Binding Treaty for AI and Human Rights

The Council of Europe has established a landmark legal precedent with its new Framework Convention on AI. This is not another set of ethical guidelines or recommendations; it is the “first-ever international legally binding agreement” designed to govern the development and use of artificial intelligence.

The convention’s core purpose is to serve as a crucial link between human rights-based governance and technical AI standardization. For the first time, there is an international legal instrument ensuring that the design and deployment of AI systems must align with established principles of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. This move marks a critical turning point, attempting to impose order and accountability on a technology that is advancing at an exponential rate.

3. An Unexpected Path to Citizenship: The ‘Trump Gold Card’

In a policy move that stunned observers, President Trump has launched the “Trump Gold Card,” a new initiative offering a “direct path to citizenship for qualified individuals.” The announcement is deeply counter-intuitive, coming from a political figure whose brand has been defined by a hardline stance on immigration, epitomized by promises of mass deportations and a border wall.

So, what explains this unexpected pivot? The motivations are likely a pragmatic blend of economic and political strategy. Economically, the program could be a targeted effort to attract high-skilled talent, entrepreneurs, and wealthy investors, creating a streamlined “brain gain” to boost American innovation and tax revenues. Politically, it may be a calculated move to appeal to business communities and moderate voters by showcasing a more nuanced approach to immigration, countering the narrative that his policies are purely restrictive. This selective, merit-based channel for citizenship represents a significant, and surprising, evolution in his administration’s strategy.

4. In India, a Cybersecurity App Comes Pre-Installed on Every New Phone

The Indian government has issued a mandate requiring all new smartphones manufactured or sold in the country to come pre-loaded with “Sanchar Saathi,” a state-run cybersecurity application. The official aim of the policy is to bolster the digital security of millions of citizens in a rapidly expanding mobile market.

This directive places India at the center of a global conversation about the relationship between state security and personal privacy. On one hand, the government presents the move as a necessary step to protect users from cyber threats. On the other, the mandatory installation of a government-run app on every personal device raises critical questions about potential state surveillance, data privacy, and the erosion of user choice in a democratic society.

5. A Stark Message: China’s Extreme Anti-Corruption Measure

China sent a powerful and unambiguous message about its stance on financial crimes with the execution of Bai Tianhui, the former general manager of China Huarong International Holdings (CHIH). Bai was found guilty of corruption, and the state responded with the most severe penalty possible.

This event is a stark illustration of the intensity of China’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign. The use of capital punishment in a high-profile case of white-collar crime underscores the state’s absolute authority and its zero-tolerance approach to what it deems critical threats to its economic and political stability. It serves as a chilling warning to officials and executives operating within its system.

Conclusion: What Do These Signals Mean for Our Future?

These five dispatches from late 2025 reveal a clear trend: governments globally are escalating their efforts to control technology and assert authority in novel ways. From Canberra to New Delhi, governments are asserting greater control over the digital sphere. In Europe, new legal frontiers are being established to rein in artificial intelligence, while in the United States and China, political and legal authority is being wielded in surprising and definitive ways. The common thread is an increasingly interventionist state, grappling with the complexities of technology, security, and economic integrity.

These trends push us toward a fundamental question as we head into 2026. As governments worldwide take unprecedented steps to regulate our digital and public lives, where do we draw the line between protection and control?

Photo: Representational AI-generated image of mobile phone users in India. Photo: RMN News Service

By Rakesh Raman, who is a national award-winning journalist and social activist. He is the founder of a humanitarian organization RMN Foundation which is working in diverse areas to help the disadvantaged and distressed people in the society.