Cyprus And Kazakhstan Step Up Business Cooperation After Presidential Visit

by News Editor

August 28, 2026

Cyprus and Kazakhstan are seeking to expand economic and business cooperation following President Nikos Christodoulides’ official visit to Astana in June, the first visit by a Cypriot president to Kazakhstan.

The two countries see opportunities for closer commercial ties, with Cyprus offering access to the EU and eurozone markets and Kazakhstan serving as a major economic and transport hub in Central Asia.

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Shipping, Energy And Technology Among Key Areas

According to the Presidency, the two sides identified prospects for cooperation in shipping, transport, energy, technology, cybersecurity, healthcare and tourism. Both governments also see potential for developing projects that could produce concrete results for businesses in the two markets.

Cyprus’ position within the EU and its eurozone membership could support access to European markets, while Kazakhstan’s geographic position offers opportunities for Cypriot companies seeking to expand in Central Asia.

First Presidential Visit To Kazakhstan

Christodoulides’ trip to Astana in early June was the first official visit by a president of Cyprus to Kazakhstan. The Presidency said the visit created a more structured framework for bilateral economic and business cooperation.

Beyond trade and investment, the two countries also reaffirmed their political ties. The Presidency highlighted Kazakhstan’s support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, in line with the UN Charter and relevant Security Council resolutions.

Kazakhstan Awards State Distinction To Christodoulides

During the visit, Christodoulides received Kazakhstan’s Order of Friendship, which the Presidency described as the country’s highest state distinction.

The award was presented as recognition of the existing bilateral relationship and the two countries’ intention to deepen cooperation further.

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Meta’s $18 Billion Settlement Limits State Claims Over Children’s Data

by News Editor

August 28, 2026

Meta’s $18 billion settlement with attorneys general from 29 U.S. states includes a provision limiting future state claims over the company’s use of children’s data for age-assurance systems.

Under the agreement, Meta must develop, train and begin testing a system to identify users under 13 within a year of the settlement taking effect. The company already uses AI-based age-detection tools, although the agreement does not require the new system to use AI.

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States Agree To Limits On Future Claims

The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) generally restricts the collection and retention of personal data from children under 13. Under the settlement, the 29 state attorneys general agreed not to bring past, present or future claims under COPPA or similar state laws over the specified use of children’s data.

Meta will not be permitted to use information from users under 13 for advertising, marketing or algorithmic optimisation.

Federal Enforcement Remains Unclear

COPPA is primarily enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, which is not a party to the agreement. That leaves open the possibility of separate federal action over how Meta collects or uses children’s data.

Another issue is whether Meta can keep age-assurance data isolated from its other systems. An independent auditor will monitor compliance, but the settlement does not fully specify what data Meta can retain for training, how long it can be stored or whether derived insights can be used elsewhere.

Legal Risks Remain

Joshua Wurtzel, a partner at Schlam Stone & Dolan, said states could still pursue claims if Meta uses the data outside the settlement’s limits. Such cases could depend on how those limits are interpreted.

Peter Jackson, a data and intellectual property attorney at Greenberg Glusker, said the provision could “disincentivize future enforcement actions.”

The agreement gives Meta greater legal certainty around using children’s data for age assurance, but questions remain over federal enforcement, data retention and secondary use.

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