On 15 August 2025, Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) issued an update listing overseas health products found to contain potent, prohibited ingredients. These may cause harmful side effects. The HSA advises consumers to avoid such products and buy only from trusted sources. Sellers in Singapore face severe penalties for supplying adulterated products. The HSA continues monitoring global enforcement to protect local consumers and urges suppliers to assess any overseas regulatory impacts.
On 11 August 2025, Singapore’s CCCS obtained court orders against immigration consultancy businesses for misleading trade practices. The businesses used deceptive tactics to pressure customers into applying for permanent residency, including false guarantees and scripted sales pitches. The mastermind behind these practices evaded detection by operating through new entities. The court ordered cessation of these practices, public disclosure of the orders, and ongoing reporting to CCCS. This signals CCCS’s strict enforcement stance.
On 13 August 2025, Ukraine approved tenders for two oil and gas blocks—Mezhyhirska and Svichanska – under its Minerals Deal with the US Bidders must meet financial and work commitments, with production sharing terms favouring investors initially. Each PSA lasts 50 years and includes environmental and compliance obligations. This marks a key step in Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction and energy strategy.
Singapore is considering age assurance measures for social media platforms to protect younger users online. These may include age verification systems to ensure age-appropriate content. The Online Safety Bill will be tabled soon, and a new commission to support victims of online harm is planned for next year. This aligns with global efforts to enhance digital safety for children.
The Ninth Circuit dismissed antitrust claims against Las Vegas hotels and software provider Cendyn, ruling that independent use of algorithmic pricing tools doesn’t constitute unlawful price-fixing under the Sherman Act. The court found no coordinated conduct or restraint of trade, diverging from the DOJ’s broader interpretation. While businesses may adopt pricing algorithms, they must avoid collusion. The decision sets key boundaries for antitrust liability in the context of AI-driven pricing strategies.
Colombia’s Law 2502 of 2025 adds an aggravating factor to identity theft committed using AI, increasing penalties and formally recognizing deepfakes. It mandates traceability systems and coordinated public policy to address AI-related crimes. The law also strengthens biometric data protections, requiring explicit consent and strict processing safeguards. Implementation begins July 2026, reflecting Colombia’s commitment to digital ethics and cybersecurity.
Via the Internet, companies can publish information, offer contracts, deliver virtual items, and send payments to any country in the world. Companies can also collect personal information from consumers anywhere on the planet. For attorneys, this raises the question of what law governs transactions and activities involving businesses or legal entities in more than one jurisdiction. In this article, we summarize a few principles, flag commonly relevant issues, and suggest practical approaches for attorneys advising Internet businesses.
Malaysia currently lacks a dedicated legal framework to effectively address the increasing scale and sophistication of spam-related activities, which have seen a nearly 200% surge in reported complaints between 2021 and 2025. In response, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is proposing a regulatory framework for Unsolicited Commercial Electronic Messages, commonly referred to as spam. On 13 August 2025, MCMC issued a public consultation paper inviting feedback on the proposed framework.
The 2025 Export Block Exemption, introduced by South Africa’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, provides a five-year legal framework allowing firms to coordinate strategically in export markets — such as through joint marketing, logistics, and infrastructure development without breaching competition laws. Aimed at countering rising global tariffs and trade barriers, the exemption includes strict safeguards against anti-competitive conduct and mandates the inclusion of historically disadvantaged persons (HDPs) and SMMEs in all agreements. By enabling collective action, the exemption seeks to enhance the global competitiveness of South African exports while promoting inclusive economic participation.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has said following its recent multi-firm review of how its climate disclosure rules have been operating that it will look to “streamline and enhance” its sustainability reporting framework and has pledged to “simplify disclosure requirements”. This is welcome news for the industry and seems to be driven by feedback from the asset management sector that Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) reporting rules are overly granular. There also seems to be a move towards consolidation across UK sustainability reporting frameworks as the FCA will consider the Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR), International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) and transition planning going forward.