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Germany Plans New Measures to Curb Harmful AI Image Manipulation

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Germany’s justice ministry said on Friday it is preparing measures that would allow authorities to more effectively combat the use of artificial intelligence to manipulate images in ways that violate personal rights.

The move comes amid growing scrutiny in Europe over AI-generated imagery, including investigations into Grok, the built-in chatbot on X owned by billionaire Elon Musk. Grok has faced criticism for its so-called “spicy mode,” which allows users to generate sexually explicit images.

A Reuters investigation found that the chatbot’s image generation tools were being used to create images of women and children in minimal clothing, often without the consent of the individuals depicted. Germany’s media minister earlier this week urged the European Commission to take legal action to halt what he described as the “industrialisation of sexual harassment” on X.

Speaking at a regular government press conference, justice ministry spokesperson Anna-Lena Beckfeld said the government was preparing to address the issue through domestic legal channels.

“It is unacceptable that manipulation on a large scale is being used for systematic violations of personal rights,” Beckfeld said. “We therefore want to ensure that criminal law can be used more effectively to combat this.”

She said the ministry is working on tighter regulation of deepfakes and plans to introduce legislation targeting digital violence, aimed at better supporting victims. The goal, she added, is to make it easier for individuals to take direct action against violations of their rights online.

Beckfeld said concrete proposals would be presented in the near future but declined to provide further details at this stage.

After initially dismissing concerns over Grok’s image-generation features, xAI has since restricted the function to paid subscribers. Musk said last week that anyone using the chatbot to create illegal content would face the same consequences as if they had uploaded such material directly.

Rumble to Acquire Germany’s Northern Data in $767 Million AI Cloud Deal

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Rumble, the U.S.-based video platform that also hosts Donald Trump’s Truth Social, announced on Monday that it will acquire German AI cloud company Northern Data in an all-stock deal worth about $767 million, sending Rumble’s shares up more than 25% in premarket trading.

Under the terms of the agreement, Northern Data shareholders will receive 2.0281 newly issued Rumble Class A shares for each share held, representing a 12.99% discount to Northern Data’s last closing price. The acquisition gives Rumble access to Northern Data’s AI computing arm, Taiga, and its large-scale data center unit, Ardent.

The deal also includes a $150 million GPU-leasing agreement with Tether, the cryptocurrency firm that owns roughly 48% of Rumble, as well as $200 million in tax liability support from Rumble. Upon completion, Rumble will gain control of 22,400 Nvidia GPUs, significantly boosting its AI computing capacity.

Tether, which invested $775 million in Rumble in December 2024, has agreed to become an anchor customer of the combined group, supporting long-term AI infrastructure demand.

Following the merger, Northern Data shareholders will hold 30.4% of the new company, which will operate under Rumble’s name. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, after which Northern Data will delist from the stock market.

Northern Data had withdrawn its 2025 forecast in October amid volatility in the GPU market, but the merger positions both companies to capitalize on rising global demand for AI data centers.

Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile to Build Europe-Led Satellite Constellation for Secure Connectivity

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Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile announced plans on Friday to develop a Europe-led satellite constellation designed to provide direct satellite-to-smartphone connectivity for both commercial and government applications.

The joint venture will establish its European operational headquarters in Germany, with potential sites near Munich or Hannover under consideration. The new system will serve as a “sovereign satellite solution”, providing secure communications to European mobile network operators, public agencies, and emergency services.

According to the companies, the constellation will feature a “command switch” to ensure European oversight, with built-in encryption and control systems for secure communication and satellite management.

The initiative aims to enhance broadband access and improve disaster relief capabilities across the continent, particularly in underserved regions. Industry analysts estimate the satellite-to-phone connectivity market could surpass $10 billion by 2033, reflecting growing demand for broadband in remote areas.

The announcement follows Elon Musk’s Starlink striking a deal with Veon on Thursday to deliver direct-to-cell connectivity to up to 150 million users across its markets. SpaceX also expanded its U.S. spectrum holdings, signaling intensified competition in the satellite communications sector.

AST SpaceMobile, which currently operates six satellites and plans to expand to 60 by 2026, is positioning itself as Europe’s alternative to U.S.-based Starlink. Vodafone, a major investor in AST, said that operators in 21 EU member states have expressed interest in joining the project, which is slated for commercial launch in 2026.

Vodafone CEO Margherita Della Valle said the initiative will provide Europe with secure, sovereign satellite communications that complement terrestrial networks, strengthening the continent’s digital autonomy.