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EU Considers Pausing Parts of Landmark AI Act Amid Pressure from U.S. and Big Tech

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The European Commission is considering pausing parts of its landmark Artificial Intelligence Act, following growing pressure from U.S. officials and major tech companies such as Meta and Alphabet, the Financial Times reported on Friday.

According to the report, the move comes after months of lobbying from Silicon Valley giants and warnings from the Trump administration that strict EU regulations could strain transatlantic trade relations.

A senior EU official told the FT that Brussels has been “engaging” with Washington on potential adjustments to the AI Act and related digital regulations as part of a broader simplification effort, which is expected to be adopted on November 19.

The AI Act, which became law in August 2024, is the world’s first comprehensive framework to regulate artificial intelligence technologies. It categorizes AI systems by risk level — from minimal to unacceptable — and imposes restrictions on areas like facial recognition, biometric surveillance, and generative AI transparency.

While a European Commission spokesperson had previously dismissed calls for delays, officials are now reportedly weighing temporary pauses for specific provisions, particularly those affecting companies developing large AI models.

An EU spokesperson told the FT that “various options” are being discussed but emphasized that the bloc remains “fully behind the AI Act and its objectives.”

The proposal reflects Europe’s balancing act between maintaining AI safety and innovation leadership while addressing geopolitical and trade pressures from the United States and industry stakeholders.

Motion Picture Association Orders Meta to Drop “PG-13” Label from Instagram Teen Filters

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The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has issued a cease-and-desist letter to Meta, accusing the social media giant of misleadingly using the film industry’s “PG-13” rating in its new content filters for teen users on Instagram. The group said Meta’s claim that its filters are modeled on the movie rating system is “literally false and highly misleading.”

Meta announced last month that it would restrict what users under 18 see on Instagram by applying filters “inspired by the PG-13 rating system.” The MPA, however, says the comparison is inappropriate, emphasizing that its rating process involves a curated, consensus-driven assessment by human reviewers — not automated algorithms.

In an October 28 letter to Meta Chief Legal Officer Jennifer Newstead, the MPA demanded that the company immediately stop using the “PG-13” mark and disassociate its Teen Accounts and AI moderation tools from the film rating system, warning that unauthorized use could undermine public trust in movie ratings. The association asked Meta to resolve the issue by November 3.

A Meta spokesperson said the company had no intention of implying a partnership with the MPA and hopes to “work constructively” with the association to address concerns. Meta said the filter initiative was designed to give parents greater control over what teenagers see on its platforms.

The dispute comes as Meta faces growing scrutiny from regulators and advocacy groups over the safety of its younger users. The company has also faced lawsuits alleging that its social platforms expose minors to harmful content.

Pinterest Shares Plunge 18% as Ad Competition and Tariff Pressures Hit Growth Outlook

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Pinterest shares tumbled 18% on Wednesday after the company issued a weaker-than-expected revenue forecast, raising concerns that the image-sharing platform is losing ground to larger digital advertising rivals amid growing tariff-related pressures. If losses hold, the drop would wipe about $4.36 billion off Pinterest’s market value.

The sharp decline contrasts with strong third-quarter results from advertising heavyweights Alphabet, Meta, and Reddit, all of which reported robust ad spending fueled by AI-powered targeting and larger global reach. Analysts said Pinterest’s smaller scale and slower innovation pace are limiting its ability to compete effectively.

Chief Financial Officer Julia Donnelly cited weaker ad spending in the United States and Canada — Pinterest’s biggest markets — as retailers face thinner margins due to new tariffs. “Larger U.S. retailers are navigating tariff-related margin pressure,” Donnelly said, adding that China-based e-commerce giants such as Temu and Shein have also reduced marketing budgets after the removal of the “de minimis” import exemption.

Pinterest now expects revenue between $1.31 billion and $1.34 billion for the current quarter, with the midpoint slightly below analyst expectations of $1.34 billion, according to LSEG data.

“Performance has been fine, but we struggle to see a catalyst for growth,” said analysts at Piper Sandler. Morgan Stanley added that Pinterest “failed to deliver” in a market increasingly rewarding innovation and upward earnings revisions.

Despite Wednesday’s steep loss, Pinterest shares remain up 13.6% for the year — outpacing Meta’s 7.2% gain over the same period.