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Competitive Electricity Market Drives Lower Consumer Costs And Sustainable Energy Transition

The Cyprus Association of Electricity Suppliers’ Representatives (Sepie) said a competitive electricity market remains the most effective model for reducing consumer costs. The statement supports the European Union framework for electricity market design. According to the association, the model improves resource allocation and supports the energy transition. Position comes as policymakers review market structure.

Efficient And Transparent Market Operations

Sepie said the current market design is widely used across the European Union. The model is based on competition and price formation through supply and demand. Changes to the framework could create uncertainty and delay investment, the association said. Disruptions may also increase costs for consumers.

Endorsements From Leading Industry Organizations

Position aligns with industry groups, including Eurelectric and Europex. Both organizations support the competitive electricity market model. In a recent statement, Europex said marginal pricing remains the most effective mechanism for electricity markets. The approach helps reduce system costs and supports the integration of renewable energy.

Stability In Investment And The Renewable Energy Push

Industry groups said a stable market design is needed to support long-term investment. Energy transition requires large-scale funding across infrastructure and generation. Eurelectric said marginal pricing supports efficient resource allocation and investment incentives. The framework also improves price transparency.

A Call For Evidence-Based Policy

In conclusion, Sepie urged policymakers to ground discussions on electricity market design in solid data and evidence-based European positions. The association stressed that maintaining and strengthening the competitive market model is key to lowering costs, attracting investment, ensuring energy security, and steering the industry toward a successful green transition.

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

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.

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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