Ulises Dávila, 34, a former Mexico youth international and captain of Macarthur FC who was named A-League Men Player of the Year in 2021, has pleaded guilty in an Australian court to his involvement in a profitable match-fixing scheme.
Dávila Pleads Guilty to Fixing Yellow Cards
Dávila was alleged to be the mastermind behind a betting scheme in which he and two teammates from Macarthur FC intentionally received yellow cards to influence betting outcomes. The charges stemmed from six matches played in Australia’s top-tier soccer league during the2023 and 2024 seasons.
The former Macarthur FC captain pleaded guilty to facilitating and engaging in conduct intended to corrupt the outcome of a betting event. Prosecutors at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court dropped eight other charges against him, including allegations that he led and took part in a criminal group.
What Led to This?
During a match against Sydney FC on December 9, 2023, Macarthur players Ulises Dávila, Clayton Lewis, and Kearyn Baccus each received yellow cards. Dávila was booked for time-wasting by kicking the ball away, Lewis for pushing an opponent in the chest, and Baccus for a reckless tackle.
According to statements agreed upon by Lewis and Baccus, bets had been placed on Macarthur receiving at least four yellow cards during the match. Winnings from these bets, placed through a gambling site, totaled more than AUD 200,000 (around $132,000). Dávila allegedly paid Lewis and Baccus AUD 10,000 ($6,600) each for their involvement in the scheme.
In September, Lewis and Baccus were given good-behavior bonds and avoided conviction, with the magistrate describing them as being “right at the bottom of the scheme.” They said they became involved at Dávila’s urging, describing him as not only the team captain but the mastermind behind the scheme. All three players were suspended and eventually had their contracts with Macarthur FC terminated.
Macarthur FC had previously released a strongly worded statement highlighting what it described as serious deficiencies in the integrity processes within Australian football. The club asserted that the existing systems were insufficient to protect teams from risk and lacked the necessary responsiveness to handle issues of such scale. It called for an urgent and comprehensive review and reform of integrity protocols to ensure the long-term protection of the sport.
Drake’s federal lawsuit against his own record label, Universal Music Group (UMG), for their involvement promoting Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us” is officially over after a federal judge threw it out on Thursday (October 9), reports the Associated Press. In her ruling, Judge Jeannette A. Vargas stated that the song is a series of opinions, not defamatory allegations, and listeners were aware of such.
“Although the accusation that Plaintiff is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that ‘Not Like Us’ imparts verifiable facts about Plaintiff,” wrote Judge Vargas.
In the lawsuit, Drake also claimed the popularity of “Not Like Us” was to blame for attempted break-ins to his Toronto residence and a security guard getting shot. The single artwork depicts an aerial view of his mansion from Google Maps and overlaid with “more than a dozen sex offender markers,” which Judge Vargas said were “obviously exaggerated and doctored.” She added, “No reasonable person would view the image and believe that in fact law enforcement had designated thirteen residents in Drake’s home as sex offenders.”
After the lawsuit was thrown out yesterday, Drake’s legal team released a statement, saying, “We intend to appeal today’s ruling, and we look forward to the Court of Appeals reviewing it.”
UMG shared their own update following the ruling, stating: “From the outset, this suit was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day. We’re pleased with the court’s dismissal and look forward to continuing our work successfully promoting Drake’s music and investing in his career.”
Billionaire media mogul Richard Desmond has called on a court to lean on the side of “generosity” in evaluating a GBP 1.3 billion (approximately $1.58 billion) damages claim against the United Kingdom’s Gambling Commission (UKGC). This is a sum that would likely be covered by taxpayers if he prevails in the legal battle.
Richard Desmond Seeks GBP 1.3 Billion in Damages from the UKGC
Lawyers representing Richard Desmond’s Northern & Shell investment firm and his lottery bid vehicle, the New Lottery Company (TNLC), argue that the Gambling Commission committed “manifest errors” during the complex and opaque competition process for Britain’s largest public sector contract. The 10-year licence was awarded in 2022 to Allwyn, a newly formed company ultimately owned by Czech billionaire Karel Komárek, which has operated the National Lottery since 2024.
If successful, the payout could have a major financial impact on both charities and taxpayers, as the compensation would come from a lottery fund designated to support good causes. If the award exceeds the available funds, which are believed to receive around GBP 30 million (approximately $36.4 million) per week from lottery ticket sales, the shortfall would likely be covered by taxpayers.
TNLC alleges that the Gambling Commission gave feedback to rival bidder Allwyn at a stage in the process when it should not have, calling this a “very serious breach” of the competition’s rules.
Speaking of Allwyn, it is also participating in the case, effectively aligning itself with the Gambling Commission. The company has a vested interest in defending the outcome of the bidding process, as its reputation could be damaged if Desmond’s legal team succeeds in persuading the judge that Allwyn should not have been awarded the license.
While the UKGC sought a settlement with Desmond’s Northern & Shell PLC, the issue continued, and a bitter case opened this week. At the High Court, Desmond’s legal team told Mrs Justice Smith that the bidding process was fundamentally flawed on multiple grounds, and argued that the competition should have been rerun after the terms of the contract were changed post-award.
UKHC Responds
The Gambling Commission has defended its handling of the licensing process, describing it as robust and thorough. In legal submissions, the regulator argued that Desmond’s bid was “fanciful” and performed “extremely badly” in what it called a rigorous competition.
Sarah Hannaford KC, representing the commission, dismissed Desmond’s claim, seeking damages for potential earnings TNLC might have made if the process were rerun as “hopeless.” She told the court it was “extremely unusual, if not unique, for a bidder who lost so spectacularly to argue that it should have won,” adding that TNLC’s belief it could have succeeded with more detailed early feedback was merely “wishful thinking.”
Sean “Diddy” Combs has been sentenced to more than four years in prison.
Source: Sean “Diddy” Combs – Picture / Sean “Diddy” Combs – Picture provided by Canva
U.S. District Court Judge Arun Subramanian sentenced the disgraced music mogul to 50 months behind bars, per NBC News.
Following his highly publicized trial, prosecutors sought an 11-year, three-month prison term for his Mann Act conviction, while the defense was trying for a 14-month sentence, which would amount to time served.
Combs, 55, was taken into custody in September last year. His sentence will include the year-plus he has already spent behind bars.
The long-running Diddy sex trafficking, racketeering, and prostitution case has finally been wrapped up. According to CNN, sentencing recommendations from the defense, prosecution, and probation departmentsdiffered tremendously.
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As previously reported, in July, Combs was convicted on two counts of transporting women for prostitution under the Mann Act, specifically for the transportation of former girlfriend Jane and the transportation of ex-girlfriendCasandra “Cassie” Ventura. Each charge carried a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Federal prosecutors were pushing for a sentence of more than 11 years, arguing that Combs physically and emotionally abused girlfriends and employees over the course of many years, all while showing no remorse for his actions.
His defense team, on the other hand, asked for no more than 14 months, including time already served. They strongly believed that the judge should disregard any testimony or evidence tied to charges Combs was acquitted of, including allegations that he coerced victims.
If the judge sided with the defense, Combs could have been released from federal custody almost immediately. Meanwhile, the court’s probation department recommended a sentence between 70 and 87 months. Earlier today, the judge stated there’s no clear reason to stray from those guidelines.
Here’s everything that’s happened throughout the case.
November 2023 – Cassie filed a lawsuit against Combs.
Source: Taylor Hill / Getty
On Nov. 17, 2023, Cassiefiled a lawsuit under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, accusing Combs of rape, sex trafficking, drug abuse, coercion, and repeated violence over the course of their decades-long relationship.
The next day, Combs quickly settled the lawsuit, with terms kept confidential.
“I have decided to resolve this matter amicably on terms that I have some level of control,” Ventura said in a statement at the time. “I want to thank my family, fans, and lawyers for their unwavering support.”
Combs added, “We have decided to resolve this matter amicably. I wish Cassie and her family all the best.”
But the lawsuit was just the tip of the iceberg. Soon, several other alleged victims brought additionalcivil lawsuits alleging sexual assault, forced drugging, and abuse during past relationships with the hip-hop mogul.
March 2024 – Sean “Diddy” Combs’ homes in LA and Miami were raided by Homeland Security.
Source: MEGA / Getty
In March 2024, properties owned by Combs in Los Angeles and Miami wereraided by Homeland Security agents. According to Page Six, the Miami raid uncoveredwhat FBI agents described as “a slew of weapons, several boxes of high-heeled heels typically worn by exotic dancers and lingerie, bottles of baby oil and lubricant, and various bags filled with narcotics.” Meanwhile, the Los Angeles search revealed a similar scene, an “array of weapons” along with a staggering 200 bottles of baby oil and 900 bottles of lubricant, reportedly found scattered throughout the home, including in Combs’ bedroom.
May 2024: Video of Diddy assaulting Cassie in 2016 surfaces.
Source: Gotham / Getty
On May 17, 2024, CNN released surveillance footageshowing Combs physically assaulting Cassie during a 2016 incident that closely mirrored the allegations outlined in her November 2023 lawsuit.
The video showed the former singer and mother leaving a hotel room and walking toward an elevator before Combs, wearing only a towel, chased after her. He grabbed her by the neck and threw her to the ground. As Cassie lay motionless, Combs was seen violently kicking her and then walking away with her purse and suitcase.
September 2024 – Diddy was indicted.
Source: Getty / General
Months later, on Sept. 16, 2024, he was arrested in New York on a federal indictment charging him with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs pleaded not guilty.Multiple bail requests were denied.
May 2025 – The Diddy sex trafficking and racketeering trial began.
Source: The Washington Post / Getty
The rapper and hip-hop icon’s trial officially began May 5 in federal court in Lower Manhattan, led by Judge Arun Subramanian. Jury selection occupied the early days, and opening statements beganMay 12. Over the next several weeks, testimony was heard from alleged victims, employees, experts, and others, with the prosecution presenting evidence such as videos, travel logs, and witness accounts.
Prosecutors opened the trial by alleging that the Grammy-winner used his fame, power, and wealth to operate a criminal enterprise that enabled his so-called “freak offs,” drug-fueled sex parties involving both paid sex workers and unwilling participants. They claimed Combs used violence, intimidation, and coercion to force victims—including his ex-girlfriend Cassie—to participate in these disturbing encounters.
Some of the most significant testimony came early in the Diddy trial. LAPD officer Israel Florez, who previously worked in hotel security, was the first witness to take the stand. He testifiedabout being on duty at the Intercontinental Hotel in March 2016, the day surveillance footage captured Combs dragging and kicking Cassie in a hallway.
Later, another witness, Daniel Phillip—a male stripper—testified that he was paid thousands of dollars to perform sex acts with the songstress while Combs watched. He recounted an incident from around 2012 or 2013, describing how Combs allegedly became enraged when Cassie didn’t respond to him immediately. According to Phillip, Combs threw a liquor bottle at her and then dragged her by the hair into a bedroom, where he appeared to physically assault her. Phillip said he was too afraid to intervene, especially with Combs’ bodyguards present.
But the most devastating testimony came from Cassie herself. As reported by NewsOne, during the first week of the trial, she gave a harrowing account of the years of alleged abuse, control, and humiliation she suffered while in a relationship with the hip-hop mogul. She painted a chilling picture of what life was like behind the glamorous façade, recounting not only the physical assaults but also the psychological torment of being forced to participate in the infamous “freak offs.”
“He would smash me in my head, knock me over, drag me, kick me, stomp me in the head if I was down,” Cassie testified at the time of the abuse she endured.
The “Me & U” singer claimed that after one particularly brutal assault in 2008, Combs made her recover in isolation at a hotel. In another haunting moment, Cassie said she wore sunglasses to a red carpet premiere to hide the bruises left on her face. She also described the toll these encounters took on her health, stating that she developed frequent urinary tract infections from back-to-back “freak offs,” to the point where antibiotics no longer worked.
July 2025 – Diddy found not guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking.
Source: LEONARDO MUNOZ / Getty
After three days of jury deliberations, a verdict was delivered July 2 for the Diddy sex trafficking and racketeering trial. Combs was found not guilty of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking by force/fraud/coercion charges, but guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution under the Mann Act. His sentencing was scheduled for Oct. 3.
September 2025: Cassie pens a heartbreaking letter to the court ahead of sentencing, “I’m so scared.”
Source: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty
As previously reported, ahead of the Oct. 3 sentencing hearing for the Diddy sex trafficking and racketeering trial, Cassie once again pleaded with the court, detailing the years of abuse and psychological manipulation she fought through while with Combs. In a powerful three-page victim impact statement obtained by Rolling Stone, she expressed not only the trauma of her past but also the fear she continues to live with today.
“I am so scared that if he walks free, his first actions will be swift retribution towards me and others who spoke up,” she wrote, making it clear that Combs’ release would not just be a legal outcome; it would be a threat to her safety and that of other victims.
“For four days in May, while nine months pregnant, I testified in front of a packed courtroom about the most traumatic and horrifying chapter in my life,” she added. Today, she says she lives “as private and quiet as possible,” constantly looking over her shoulder, fearing what could happen if Combs walks free.
Sean “Diddy” Combs has been sentenced to 50 months in prison and pay a fine of $500,000, the maximum possible, after being found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. (That sentence adds up to just over four years, but the 14 months he has already served in prison will be deducted.) Today in Manhattan’s Federal District Court, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian outlined his reasoning behind the substantial length, citing the need “to send a message to abusers and victims alike that exploitation and violence against women is met with real accountability.”
“The Court has to consider all of your history here. A history of good works can’t wash away the record in this case, which shows that you abused the power and control over the lives of women who you professed to love,” said Judge Subramanian. “The court is not assured that if released these crimes will not be committed again.”
“To Ms. Ventura and the other brave survivors that came forward, I want to say first: We heard you. I am proud of you for coming to the court to tell the world what really happened,” added Judge Subramanian after issuing the sentence. “Mr. Combs, you and your family are going to get through it… You will have a chance to show your children and the world what real accountability, change, and healing [can look like].”
Before the sentencing was determined, Diddy rose at the defense table to give a 12-minute statement, reports The New York Times. “One of the hardest things I’ve had to handle is having to be quiet, not being able to express how sorry I am for my actions,” said Diddy. He apologized to Cassie Ventura and her family “for any harm or hurt that I’ve caused her, emotionally or physically.” He also apologized to former girlfriend Jane, saying, “I brought you into my mess.” Diddy then apologized to all victims of domestic violence, his family, and his children, and referred to his conduct “disgusting, shameful, and sick.” “No matter what anybody says, I know that I’m truly sorry for it all,” he concluded.
The high-profile legal battle between Evolution and Light & Wonder has reached a potential turning point after a Nevada federal court ruled that certain aspects of the dispute must be arbitrated while allowing other claims to proceed. With neither party willing to back down, this legal showdown shows no signs of subsiding.
Evolution Recently Reignited the Dispute
On September 30, US District Judge Cristina Silva granted Light & Wonder’s motion to compel arbitration of Evolution’s trade secret claims. The court held that the claims were subject to an arbitration provision contained in a 2021 licensing agreement between the gaming giants. The Judge further ruled that Evolution’s patent infringement claims would remain in court.
The dispute centers on a licensing deal that granted Light & Wonder exclusive rights to develop a physical version of Evolution’s hit title Lightning Roulette for land-based casinos. Evolution claims that Light & Wonder has gone beyond the scope of the agreement, using confidential information and proprietary technology to develop competing products.
Evolution’s revised complaint includes allegations tied to the so-called “Haushalter patents,” covering live-streamed gaming systems with randomized multipliers, and the “Merati patents,” acquired through Evolution’s 2024 acquisition of hybrid gaming developer Uplay1. Along with its patent claims, Evolution accuses Light & Wonder of trade secret misappropriation in violation of federal laws and Nevada state law.
A Final Resolution Remains a Long Way Away
According to a recent Next.io report, Judge Silva found that the trade secrets claims fell squarely within the arbitration clause of the 2021 Agreement between the two companies. The provision states that disputes unresolved by negotiation must be settled under the Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce by three arbitrators, with London specified as the seat of arbitration.
Evolution argued that the contract carved out disputes relating to licensed property, which it contended should include trade secrets. The court disagreed, noting that the carve-out provided that only intellectual property matters should be governed by the laws of the territory where the IP infringement allegedly took place, and not that such disputes were exempt from arbitration.
The outcome creates a split process: arbitration will handle the trade secrets allegations, while the Nevada court proceeds with its review of Evolution’s patent infringement claims. A status conference set for October 30 will determine how the arbitration order affects the court proceedings. However, while significant, this development does not change the fact that a final resolution remains nowhere in sight.
Spencer Elden, the naked baby shown swimming after a dollar bill on the cover art of Nirvana’s 1991 album Nevermind, has failed in his bid to convince a judge that the image constitutes child pornography, Billboard reports. Initially filed in 2021, Elden’s lawsuit against Nirvana was dismissed a year later for falling outside the statute of limitations. But a federal appeals court overturned the ruling in 2023, opening the door for further litigation. Now, Judge Fernando M. Olguin has dismissed the lawsuit on the grounds that it does not meet the definition of pornography. “Nudity must be coupled with other circumstances that make the visual depiction lascivious or sexually provocative,” the judge wrote, quoting an earlier ruling.
Olguin compared the image to “a family photo of a nude child bathing,” adding, “Neither the pose, focal point, setting, nor overall context suggest the album cover features sexually explicit conduct.” He also noted that Elden had sold autographed memorabilia and promoted himself as the “Nirvana baby” over the years, undermining his claim of having suffered “serious damages.”
Elden appeared on the album cover because his father, Rick, was friends with the cover photographer Kirk Weddle, whom Elden named in the original lawsuit alongside Nirvana and the labels behind Nevermind. Despite his apparent discomfort later, Elden recreated the imagemultiple times over the years and has the word “Nevermind” tattooed on his chest.
His legal representatives said they plan to appeal the decision.
A fan was reportedly pepper-sprayed during a Turnstile concert in Richmond, Virginia last Wednesday, September 24. The Baltimore hardcore band closed their set at Brown’s Island with “Birds” from their new album Never Enough, during which concertgoers are typically invited to join them onstage.
In a video circulated widely by CBS 6 News, one fan attempts to climb onto the stage, at which point they appear to be pepper-sprayed by a sheriff’s deputy. Turnstile bassist Franz Lyons can also be seen covering his eyes and running towards the back of the stage.
On Friday, September 26, Richmond Sheriff Antionette Irving told CBS 6 that the alleged pepper spray incident is currently under investigation. In the same report, a spokesperson for the Richmond City Sheriff’s Office also confirmed that local police department had been handling security at the Turnstile show.
When reached by Pitchfork, the Richmond City Sheriff’s Office offered no further comment. Pitchfork has also reached out to Turnstile’s representatives for for comment.
President Donald Trump’s administration is asking the Supreme Court to uphold his birthright citizenship order declaring that children born to parents who are in the United States illegally or temporarily are not American citizens.Previous reporting: A legal win for birthright citizenship after Supreme Court setbackThe appeal, shared with The Associated Press on Saturday, sets in motion a process at the high court that could lead to a definitive ruling from the justices by early summer on whether the citizenship restrictions are constitutional.Lower-court judges have so far blocked them from taking effect anywhere. The Republican administration is not asking the court to let the restrictions take effect before it rules.The Justice Department’s petition has been shared with lawyers for parties challenging the order, but is not yet docketed at the Supreme Court.Any decision on whether to take up the case is probably months away, and arguments probably would not take place until the late winter or early spring.“The lower court’s decisions invalidated a policy of prime importance to the president and his administration in a manner that undermines our border security,” Solicitor General D. John Sauer wrote. “Those decisions confer, without lawful justification, the privilege of American citizenship on hundreds of thousands of unqualified people.”Cody Wofsy, an American Civil Liberties Union lawyer who represents children who would be affected by Trump’s restrictions, said the administration’s plan is plainly unconstitutional.“This executive order is illegal, full stop, and no amount of maneuvering from the administration is going to change that. We will continue to ensure that no baby’s citizenship is ever stripped away by this cruel and senseless order,” Wofsy said in an email.Trump signed an executive order on the first day of his second term in the White House that would upend more than 125 years of understanding that the Constitution’s 14th Amendment confers citizenship on everyone born on American soil, with narrow exceptions for the children of foreign diplomats and those born to a foreign occupying force.In a series of decisions, lower courts have struck down the executive order as unconstitutional, or likely so, even after a Supreme Court ruling in late June that limited judges’ use of nationwide injunctions.While the Supreme Court curbed the use of nationwide injunctions, it did not rule out other court orders that could have nationwide effects, including in class-action lawsuits and those brought by states. The justices did not decide at that time whether the underlying citizenship order is constitutional.But every lower court that has looked at the issue has concluded that Trump’s order violates or likely violates the 14th Amendment, which was intended to ensure that Black people, including former slaves, had citizenship.The administration is appealing two cases.The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in San Francisco ruled in July that a group of states that sued over the order needed a nationwide injunction to prevent the problems that would be caused by birthright citizenship being in effect in some states and not others.Also in July, a federal judge in New Hampshire blocked the citizenship order in a class-action lawsuit including all children who would be affected.Birthright citizenship automatically makes anyone born in the United States an American citizen, including children born to mothers who are in the country illegally, under long-standing rules. The right was enshrined soon after the Civil War in the first sentence of the 14th Amendment.The administration has asserted that children of noncitizens are not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States and therefore not entitled to citizenship.
WASHINGTON —
President Donald Trump’s administration is asking the Supreme Court to uphold his birthright citizenship order declaring that children born to parents who are in the United States illegally or temporarily are not American citizens.
Previous reporting: A legal win for birthright citizenship after Supreme Court setback
The appeal, shared with The Associated Press on Saturday, sets in motion a process at the high court that could lead to a definitive ruling from the justices by early summer on whether the citizenship restrictions are constitutional.
Lower-court judges have so far blocked them from taking effect anywhere. The Republican administration is not asking the court to let the restrictions take effect before it rules.
The Justice Department’s petition has been shared with lawyers for parties challenging the order, but is not yet docketed at the Supreme Court.
Any decision on whether to take up the case is probably months away, and arguments probably would not take place until the late winter or early spring.
“The lower court’s decisions invalidated a policy of prime importance to the president and his administration in a manner that undermines our border security,” Solicitor General D. John Sauer wrote. “Those decisions confer, without lawful justification, the privilege of American citizenship on hundreds of thousands of unqualified people.”
Cody Wofsy, an American Civil Liberties Union lawyer who represents children who would be affected by Trump’s restrictions, said the administration’s plan is plainly unconstitutional.
“This executive order is illegal, full stop, and no amount of maneuvering from the administration is going to change that. We will continue to ensure that no baby’s citizenship is ever stripped away by this cruel and senseless order,” Wofsy said in an email.
Trump signed an executive order on the first day of his second term in the White House that would upend more than 125 years of understanding that the Constitution’s 14th Amendment confers citizenship on everyone born on American soil, with narrow exceptions for the children of foreign diplomats and those born to a foreign occupying force.
In a series of decisions, lower courts have struck down the executive order as unconstitutional, or likely so, even after a Supreme Court ruling in late June that limited judges’ use of nationwide injunctions.
While the Supreme Court curbed the use of nationwide injunctions, it did not rule out other court orders that could have nationwide effects, including in class-action lawsuits and those brought by states. The justices did not decide at that time whether the underlying citizenship order is constitutional.
But every lower court that has looked at the issue has concluded that Trump’s order violates or likely violates the 14th Amendment, which was intended to ensure that Black people, including former slaves, had citizenship.
The administration is appealing two cases.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in San Francisco ruled in July that a group of states that sued over the order needed a nationwide injunction to prevent the problems that would be caused by birthright citizenship being in effect in some states and not others.
Also in July, a federal judge in New Hampshire blocked the citizenship order in a class-action lawsuit including all children who would be affected.
Birthright citizenship automatically makes anyone born in the United States an American citizen, including children born to mothers who are in the country illegally, under long-standing rules. The right was enshrined soon after the Civil War in the first sentence of the 14th Amendment.
The administration has asserted that children of noncitizens are not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States and therefore not entitled to citizenship.
A London judge has dismissed a terrorism charge against Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, the Kneecap rapper who goes by Mo Chara. The musician’s defense team had argued that the charge—stemming from a November 2024 incident in which Mo Chara allegedly displayed the Hezbollah flag during a concert—fell outside the statute of limitations, and the judge agreed.
“I find that these proceedings were not instituted in the correct form, lacking the necessary DPP [Director of Public Prosecutions] and AG [Attorney General] consent within the six-month statutory time limit,” Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring said, according to BBC News NI. He added that the court had “no jurisdiction to try the charge.”
Mo Chara and his Kneecap bandmates have been vocal advocates for Palestinian rights and harsh critics of Israel. The Irish rappers have also denounced Hezbollah and Hamas, two militant groups that are considered terrorist organizations by the United Kingdom.
“This entire process was never about me,” Mo Chara told suporters outside the courthouse. “It was never about any threat to the public; it was never about terrorism—a word used by your government to discredit people you oppress.”
“It was always about Gaza, about what happens if you dare to speak up,” he added. “Your attempts to silence us have failed because we’re right and you’re wrong.”
Kneecap recently canceled a U.S. tour, citing the shows proximity to Mo Chara’s court date. Kneecap had still planned to play October concerts in Canada, but they have been barred from entering the country, with a Canadian official accusing the group of amplifying political violence and displaying antisemitic symbols. Kneecap have also been banned from Hungary, and a government spokesman also cited the band’s alleged antisemitism and support for terrorism. Kneecap have opposed both bans.
Last year, Metro Boomin was sued by a woman who claimed that the hip-hop producer raped her in 2016. The case went to trial this week, and a Los Angeles jury has now found that Metro Boomin is not liable on the four causes of action against him, according to Rolling Stone.
“I’m grateful and thankful to God that I can finally put all of this nonsense behind me,” Metro Boomin said in a statement shared with Pitchfork. “‘Metro Boomin’ is more than a stage name or family friendly brand but a superhero in the eyes of many children and adults around the world. I’m sure I don’t have to put into anymore words on how devastating these false claims must have been to many.”
He continued, “I legally adopted my youngest brother and sister and am active in their lives and at their schools so just imagine what they have been through in a time where almost any kid from the age 9 and up has access to a smart phone or tablet. I’m disappointed in not only the plaintiff but the janky lawyers who made the conscious decision to take on this suit, even though it was evident long ago that these claims had no legs or merit and would not end up going anywhere.” Read the full statement below.
The woman who filed the complaint is named Vanessa LeMaistre, and she sued Metro Boomin for battery, sexual battery, and multiple violations of California’s civil codes. In court, she testified that she decided to file the lawsuit after a therapy session involving ayahuasca in Peru in 2024. “I recall being instructed from the medicine that this is the root of your issues for the past 10 years, this incident with the defendant,” LeMaistre said, according to reporter Meghann Cuniff. “This is the root of continual trauma and pain and suffering, and that I needed to address this, seek justice and contact lawyers.”
Metro Boomin vehemently denied in court that he sexually assaulted LeMaistre, and he claimed that his sexual encounters with her were consensual. “For someone to come out of the blue with something like this, someone I haven’t seen in, like, a decade, like, it’s beyond insulting,” he testified, according to Meghann Cuniff.
When reached by Pitchfork, Michael J. Willemin, an attorney for LeMaistre said, “Though the legal system is often stacked against survivors, our client showed unwavering fortitude throughout this trial. We are disappointed in the outcome, but are proud to represent Ms. LeMaistre and believe that the verdict will ultimately be overturned on appeal.”
Paradise Entertainment Limited is challenging a ruling by Macau’s Judicial Court of First Instance, which invalidated two electronic table game patents owned by its subsidiary, LT Game Limited. The case was brought against the defendants: Shuffle Master Asia Limited (Macau and Australia), Shuffle Master Inc., and SG Jogos Ásia S.A. Although the patents had allegedly met all formal registration criteria, the Court declared them null and void.
Paradise Entertainment Files Appeal about Macau Court’s Decision
Disagreeing with the Court’s reasoning, Paradise Entertainment has filed an appeal based on legal counsel. The company emphasized that safeguarding intellectual property is essential for innovation, business development, and maintaining confidence in the uniqueness of its products. While affirming its respect for the legal process, Paradise continues to assert the validity and significance of its patents within the industry.
“We firmly believe that protecting intellectual property rights is essential for fostering innovation, securing business development, and instilling confidence in our clients and society regarding the reliability and uniqueness of our innovative products,” Paradise Entertainment explained. “While we respect the judicial process, we strongly disagree with this decision and remain committed to defending our intellectual property rights.”
The Court also ordered the plaintiffs to cover the legal costs of the case. Observers suggest that the outcome of the appeal could influence how Macau’s courts approach gaming technology patent disputes in the future.
What Was the Issue that Started All of This?
Presiding Judge Chan Chi Weng ruled that the plaintiffs, Jay Chun, Natural Noble Limited, and LT Game Limited, had not met the necessary patent requirements in their attempt to enforce rights over two of their electronic table game (ETG) inventions. LT Game claimed that the defendants, Shuffle Master, had infringed on patents I/150 and I/380 through the use of their gaming machines, including “Rapid Baccarat” and “Rapid Table Game.”
LT Game also argued that its patents effectively granted the company exclusive control over the live dealer market for multi-game terminals across Macau. In its lawsuit against Shuffle Master, the company sought injunctions, the removal of infringing equipment, termination of relevant contracts, compensation for damages, and public disclosures related to the alleged patent infringements.
Industry experts caution that the court’s ruling could have broader implications for future gaming technology patents in the region. The case has drawn attention to how Macau applies the concept of “inventive step” under its patent laws. Observers note that the decision may prompt companies to rethink their patent filing strategies and signal increased scrutiny of patent claims in gaming technology disputes.
The legal battle comes just as Macau operators are preparing for Golden Week, which runs from September 29 and October 6, and is expected to bring a record-breaking income to the territory.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has secured a significant victory in its ongoing campaign to tighten compliance in the online gaming sector, as a recent tribunal ruling reaffirmed that free spins awarded as part of promotional offers are subject to remote gaming duty (RGD). While free spins have long caused friction between operators and regulators, this ruling should settle the matter once and for all.
The Ruling Cleared Up Several Edge Cases
The case centered on Jumpman Gaming Ltd, which challenged assessments of over £13 million ($17.56 million) in unpaid duty. The operator, which runs an extensive network of UK-facing online casinos, argued that it had already accounted for tax on its popular “Mega Reel” feature, where players can win various prizes, such as free spins and bonuses.
According to a recent Next.io report, Jumpman agreed that the first spin was a taxable event. However, the company argued that the free spins resulting from that promotion were exempt from taxation. It also alleged that HMRC had gone beyond the statutory time limit in amending one of its assessments.
Despite Jumpman Gaming’s assertions, the First-tier Tribunal disagreed, ruling in favor of HMRC’s interpretation of the Finance Act 2014. Judges examined sections 159 and 159A, which deal with freeplay and waived wagers, respectively. They determined that while the first Mega Reel spin did not attract duty, any free spins given as prizes constituted gaming payments, subject to taxation.
Other Operators Will Likely Take Note
In practice, the tribunal’s verdict means that while Jumpman Gaming actually overpaid on the Mega Reel spins, the company still owes significant taxes on the following free spins. The ruling also rejected Jumpman’s procedural objection, finding that HMRC’s amended assessment constituted a lawful reduction rather than an invalid reissue. Analysts note this development could trigger a wave of compliance reviews across the sector as operators seek to avoid similar disputes.
This ruling could have far-reaching implications for UK operators as they reconsider their free spins and bonus packages, which are often used to bolster player engagement. Increased taxation could lead to less favorable promotions as operators seek to balance their expenses. HMRC has signaled that it expects operators to pay duty upon any promotional play that substitutes actual cash wagers.
The outcome of this dispute echoes HMRC’s clash with Broadway Gaming in 2022, where the court recognized that free plays could be considered when calculating profits for RGD purposes. However, the 2022 ruling stressed that such promotions were not exempt from duty altogether. Combined, the two cases paint a clearer picture of how freeplay must be treated under UK tax law.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
For entrepreneurs, few events are more damaging than a product recall. The immediate image is always financial: refunds, fines and settlements. But anyone who has been inside these cases knows the true cost runs far deeper. Recalls erode consumer trust, unravel years of brand building and expose systemic failures in leadership.
I have seen firsthand how these crises unfold. In nearly every instance, the warning signs were there. Companies knew about risks. Employees raised concerns. Complaints trickled in. Yet leadership chose to wait, to monitor, to hope the problem would fade. It never does. When companies delay action, injuries multiply, lawsuits escalate, and reputations are permanently scarred.
Consider Peloton. The company faced reports of injuries and even the tragic death of a child linked to its Tread+ treadmill. Instead of acting swiftly, Peloton resisted recalling the product. That decision led to one of the largest penalties in Consumer Product Safety Commission history. Peloton paid $19 million for failing to immediately report defects. The fine was only part of the story. The brand damage continues to ripple years later.
Onewheel, the self-balancing electric skateboard, now faces lawsuits tied to sudden stopping issues that led to consumer deaths. The legal actions are only beginning, but the company’s reputation has already been drawn into headlines that focus on tragedy rather than innovation.
Other cases may not grab as many headlines but still leave lasting scars. Ninja recalled hundreds of thousands of pressure cookers after reports of severe burns. Portable blenders were pulled from the market after blades came loose during operation. Werner ladders were recalled when they broke without warning. In every case, the cost of waiting outweighed the cost of acting early.
Lawsuits are the beginning, not the end
When a product injures a consumer, lawsuits arrive quickly. For many founders, that is the first moment they truly grasp the scale of the crisis. Litigation is costly, time-consuming and distracting, but lawsuits are not the end. They are the beginning.
From my own work in product defect litigation, I have seen how one case rarely stands alone. A single injury multiplies into dozens of filings. What begins as an isolated incident can grow into a class action. Through discovery, internal safety reports, cost-cutting memos and ignored warnings come to light. That evidence does not just determine the verdict — it drives the headlines. The reputational damage is often far worse than the financial cost.
Entrepreneurs must recognize that litigation is not just about settlements and legal fees. It is about the company’s culture being put on trial. Once a jury sees that safety took a back seat to profits, rebuilding consumer trust is nearly impossible.
What connects these cases is not simply defective products. It is defective leadership.
Too often, product safety is left to compliance teams or buried in operations. The CEO only steps in once the crisis explodes. By then, it is too late.
The truth is simple. Product safety is a CEO-level issue. It belongs at the very top of the agenda. Decisions in the first hours and days after a safety concern emerges define the future of a company. Listening to engineers, taking consumer complaints seriously and acting quickly to protect customers are leadership choices. They are not legal technicalities.
Entrepreneurs who understand this protect both their consumers and their companies. Those who treat safety as a secondary issue risk losing everything they have built.
The hidden costs entrepreneurs miss
Most founders understand the financial hit of a recall. Few recognize the long-term damage that follows.
The hidden costs include the loss of consumer trust that cuts into lifetime customer value, the greater scrutiny from regulators and watchdog groups, higher insurance premiums, difficulty securing future coverage, the distraction of leadership who must focus on crisis management instead of growth and the brand damage that affects hiring, partnerships and investor confidence.
These costs linger long after the settlement checks have been written. They erode the very foundation of a business.
Why acting early saves businesses
Entrepreneurs have one key advantage over larger corporations. They can move quickly. Without layers of bureaucracy, a founder can make bold decisions to protect consumers and preserve trust. Acting early may feel painful in the moment, but it prevents the cascading damage of lawsuits, headlines and regulatory intervention.
The choice is not between acting and ignoring. The choice is between acting early when you have some control or acting later when you have none.
Every recall is ultimately a test of leadership. The companies that survive are those where CEOs accept responsibility and act decisively. The companies that fail are those where leaders delay, deflect or deny until the crisis consumes them.
For entrepreneurs, the lesson is clear. Safety cannot be delegated away. It cannot be viewed as a legal technicality. It is a core leadership responsibility that protects both people and the future of the business.
The real cost of a recall is not measured only in dollars. It is measured in trust lost, in reputations destroyed and in businesses that never recover. Entrepreneurs who understand this truth will treat safety not as a burden but as the foundation of lasting success.
For entrepreneurs, few events are more damaging than a product recall. The immediate image is always financial: refunds, fines and settlements. But anyone who has been inside these cases knows the true cost runs far deeper. Recalls erode consumer trust, unravel years of brand building and expose systemic failures in leadership.
I have seen firsthand how these crises unfold. In nearly every instance, the warning signs were there. Companies knew about risks. Employees raised concerns. Complaints trickled in. Yet leadership chose to wait, to monitor, to hope the problem would fade. It never does. When companies delay action, injuries multiply, lawsuits escalate, and reputations are permanently scarred.
An investigation by the FDNY’s Bureau of Fire Prevention (BFP) into a complaint about illegal lithium-ion battery charging uncovered what is believed to be an illegal gambling operation.
Fire Prevention Check Discovers Alleged Gambling Den
While inspecting a location on Elizabeth Street in Manhattan, fire officials encountered a range of “dangerous and unlawful conditions,” including gambling machines, counterfeit merchandise, unsafe living arrangements, and hazardous battery charging setups. FDNY Fire Protection Inspectors discovered that the front and rear cellars of both buildings had been illegally converted into sleeping quarters after gaining entry.
Further investigation revealed an alleged gambling operation featuring slot machines, along with a storage area containing counterfeit designer bags and accessories. Numerous lithium-ion batteries were also reportedly found charging throughout the illegally converted cellar space. However, Lithium-ion batteries, similar to those linked to numerous deadly fires across New York City in recent years, were just one of the first indications of a deeper pattern of lawlessness uncovered by inspectors.
In a news release, FDNY commissioner Robert S. Tucker said that, due to the life-threatening conditions discovered, the organization requested assistance from the Department of Buildings (DOB) and the New York City Police Department (NYPD). In response, the DOB issued partial vacate orders for the cellar areas of both buildings, while the NYPD Vice Unit confiscated gambling machines and counterfeit goods. The Bureau of Fire Prevention (BFP) issued two FDNY summonses and two criminal summonses to the addresses at 118 and 120 Elizabeth Street.
What Else Did FDNY Find?
According to officials, the cellar hallways had also been converted into single-room occupancies, described as being crowded with mattresses, clutter, hot plates, and space heaters. None of the makeshift rooms had secondary exits, and the FDNY characterized the layout of the cellar as “mazelike.” The sleeping quarters were deemed a serious threat to life safety due to the absence of secondary egress routes and the excessive clutter throughout the area.
The organization also stated that the conditions uncovered by Fire Prevention personnel represented a disaster waiting to happen. He emphasized that illegal living arrangements and improper lithium-ion battery charging can create deadly hazards for both occupants and emergency responders. Tucker highlighted the importance of each investigation, noting that this inspection may have directly prevented a tragedy.
Canadian authorities have charged a 26-year-old Ottawa man whom they accuse of posting death threats against Morrissey online, the Ottawa Citizen reports. The man, Noah Castellano, is being charged with uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, and he was released from custody on $5,000 bail, according to the report.
According to court documents obtained by the Ottawa Citizen, investigators believe that Castellano is behind a Bluesky post from September 4 that reads: “Steven Patrick Morrissey when you perform at TD Place here in Ottawa next week on the evening of September 12th, 2025 at about 9pm, I will be present at the venue in the audience and I will attempt to shoot you many times and kill you with a very large gun that I own illegally.”
Morrissey toured the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe earlier this year, and he began his latest North America tour in Montreal on September 10. He played his September 12 show in Ottawa without incident, and continued his tour in Toronto and New York. Nevertheless, he has canceled tonight’s show, in Mashantucket, Connecticut, and tomorrow night’s, in Boston, citing “recent events and out of an abundance of caution for the safety of both the artist and band.”
Hundreds of franchise leaders converged on Washington, D.C., this week for the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) 2025 Advocacy Summit, a three-day event that blended education, networking and direct engagement with policymakers. The summit played out at a pivotal moment for franchising, as lawmakers weigh regulations that could redefine how the model operates nationwide.
At its core, the summit was about giving a collective voice to more than 800,000 franchise businesses. Through general sessions, workshops and Capitol Hill visits, attendees sharpened advocacy skills, spotlighted the model’s community impact and pressed for the American Franchise Act — legislation intended to clarify the joint-employer standard for franchisors and franchisees.
The event opened with forums and committee meetings, along with the launch of the second Franchise Ascension Initiative cohort — a program designed to elevate emerging leaders within the franchise community and give them a platform to grow their impact.
The opening day featured forums, committee meetings and the launch of the second Franchise Ascension Initiative cohort, designed to elevate emerging leaders across the industry. New programming added momentum, including a TikTok Lounge focused on building brand reach through creative, digital-first campaigns. An Advocacy 101 workshop equipped attendees with practical tools for telling their stories and preparing for Capitol Hill meetings.
CNN commentator and political strategist Scott Jennings framed franchising as a unifying force at a polarized time when he spoke on the first day. “Franchising is one of the most remarkable success stories of the modern economy,” Jennings said, according to the IFA. “From your morning coffee to the hotels you stay in, franchises touch every Main Street in America.”
Attention turned squarely to policy priorities on day two, centered around the American Franchise Act. In remarks to attendees, IFA president and CEO Matthew Haller outlined how the bill would bring long-sought clarity by setting a narrow joint-employer standard tailored to franchising. If enacted, it would affirm that franchisors and franchisees are separate employers unless one directly controls the other’s workers — reducing uncertainty for operators and their teams.
“Franchising thrives when entrepreneurs have independence and flexibility, but too often, inconsistent rules make it harder for them to grow,” Haller told Entrepreneur. “The American Franchise Act is about protecting the partnership that makes franchising work.”
Small-group sessions rounded out the day, as leaders compared notes on data, messaging and district-level economic impact to strengthen their case with lawmakers.
The final day focused on action. Equipped with new training and a unified brief, franchise leaders fanned out across Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers and staff. Conversations centered on jobs, local investment and the importance of clear, consistent labor standards.
Participants emphasized how policy uncertainty translates into real-world decisions about hiring, expansion and reinvestment in their communities.
The 2025 Advocacy Summit closed with a practical playbook: Lead with real operator stories, reinforce them with local economic data and follow up methodically after Capitol Hill meetings. With labor and employment debates continuing, the franchise community leaves Washington aligned on a message and plan.
What began as a week of sessions and strategy now shifts to sustained district-level engagement. Attendees return home as advocates ready to keep the conversation going — and to make the case that franchising’s local ownership model remains a vital engine for Main Street.
Hundreds of franchise leaders converged on Washington, D.C., this week for the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) 2025 Advocacy Summit, a three-day event that blended education, networking and direct engagement with policymakers. The summit played out at a pivotal moment for franchising, as lawmakers weigh regulations that could redefine how the model operates nationwide.
At its core, the summit was about giving a collective voice to more than 800,000 franchise businesses. Through general sessions, workshops and Capitol Hill visits, attendees sharpened advocacy skills, spotlighted the model’s community impact and pressed for the American Franchise Act — legislation intended to clarify the joint-employer standard for franchisors and franchisees.
The event opened with forums and committee meetings, along with the launch of the second Franchise Ascension Initiative cohort — a program designed to elevate emerging leaders within the franchise community and give them a platform to grow their impact.
Earlier this month, a chopped-up, decomposing body was found in a bag in the front trunk of an impounded Tesla registered to the musician D4vd. The Houston singer-songwriter said that he was cooperating with investigators on the matter, and he continued to play shows as part of a North American tour that began on August 1.
Earlier this week, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office identified the body in the Tesla as that of Celeste Rivas, a 15-year-old girl who was reported missing last year. Following the identification of the body, D4vd quietly canceled a concert in Seattle, and he has now canceled the remaining dates of his U.S. tour, according to TMZ and Variety. A deluxe version of his album Withered, which had been promised for September 19, failed to come out today.
D4vd had just two more shows left on the North American leg of his tour, but he is still due to perform in Europe, in October and November, and Australia, in December. The status of the international tour is currently unknown.
Criminal charges have not been filed in connection with Rivas’ death, but brands and fellow artists have begun to distance themselves from D4vd as the investigation continues. Crocs and Hollister removed the 20-year-old born David Anthony Burke from a new campaign, and Kali Uchis has said that she is in the process of pulling a collaborative track she did with D4vd.
Pitchfork has reached out the musician’s representatives for comment and more information.
Ticketmaster and its parent company, Live Nation Entertainment, have long been the target of ire from musicians and concertgoers alike due to their use of hidden fees and the prevalence of ticket scalpers on their platforms. Last year, under President Joe Biden, the United States Justice Department sued Live Nation, alleging that the company holds a monopoly in the concert market. Now, the Federal Trade Commission and seven states are filing suit against the concert giant for allegedly violating the FTC Act and the Better Online Ticket Sales Act by knowingly collaborating with secondary market brokers to spike ticket prices.
The FTC’s lawsuit, filed this morning (Thursday, September 18) in a California court, alleges that Live Nation has falsely claimed to place caps on the number of tickets an individual can purchase for an event, while resellers are able to circumvent those limits by creating “thousands” of Ticketmaster accounts. A software platform called TradeDesk, also owned by Live Nation, then allows brokers to track tickets across multiple accounts simultaneously, allowing for easier resale.
According to internal emails reportedly obtained by the FTC, Ticketmaster and Live Nation are able to identify which brokers are exceeding the posted ticket limit for a given event, but have instead opted to, in the alleged words of a senior executive, “turn a blind eye as a matter of policy.” Allegedly, the companies also declined to implement technology, such as third-party verification, that would prevent mass ticket scalping for being, according to one email cited in the lawsuit, “too effective.”
“American live entertainment is the best in the world and should be accessible to all of us,” FTC chairman Andrew N. Ferguson said in a statement. “It should not cost an arm and a leg to take the family to a baseball game or attend your favorite musician’s show. The Trump-Vance FTC is working hard to ensure that fans have a shot at buying fair-priced tickets, and today’s lawsuit is a monumental step in that direction.”
A statement to Pitchfork from the National Independent Talent Organization (NITO) added: “Without commenting on the specific charges, NITO applauds the Federal Trade Commission’s efforts to reform an unfair ticketing ecosystem that too often does not serve consumers or artists. Changes are needed that address excessive fees, availability of tickets for fans at fair prices and keeping the process aligned with artists interests that benefit their fans.”
In addition, Stephen Parker, executive director of the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) told Pitchfork:
Today’s lawsuit has given credibility to what fans, artists, and independent stages have believed for years: Live Nation and Ticketmaster exploit their dominance not just in concert promotion and primary ticketing, but in the resale market as well. The FTC and seven states now allege that the same company that controls nearly 80% of major concert ticketing has been enabling scalpers to game Ticketmaster’s system, reselling tickets back to fans at massive markups.
This is not just bad business; it is deception and abuse of monopoly power. By turning a blind eye to scalpers, even giving them the tools to bypass limits and harvest tickets, Live Nation has acted as the promoter, the primary ticket seller, the artists’ manager, and the scalper.
Independent venues and promoters are on the frontlines of this broken system, and it is fans and artists who ultimately pay the price. We applaud the FTC for bringing this case. It further bolsters the U.S. Department of Justice and 40 state attorneys general antitrust case against Live Nation.
We now urge Congress, the Administration, and state legislatures to stand with consumers by banning speculative tickets (tickets the scalper does not have), prohibiting deceptive resale sites, and capping resale prices and fees. Predatory resellers – including Live Nation itself – should no longer be allowed to gouge and deceive fans under the guise of access to live music.
Last year, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the the Transparency in Charges for Key Events Ticketing (TICKET) Act, which would require ticket sellers on the primary and secondary market to disclose total prices up front. StubHub was also sued by the Washington, D.C. attorney general in 2024 for engaging in “drip pricing,” wherein fees are incrementally added to a ticket’s cost throughout the checkout process. Ticketmaster is currently under investigation by the UK and European governments for its pricing of tickets to Oasis’ reunion shows.
Indonesia’s war on illegal gambling has continued with the removal of millions of online gambling-related pieces of digital media. The government emphasized that this action sought to shield the public rather than to limit freedom of expression.
Indonesia Removed Millions of Pieces of Negative Content
The Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) announced that it has removed a total of 2.8 million pieces of harmful online content between October 20, 2024, and September 16, 2025. The ministry added that a staggering 2.1 million of these items were related to online gambling.
Alexander Sabar, the Komdigi’s director general of digital space monitoring, provided additional details on the banned pieces of media, saying that they included:
1,932,131 website items
97,779 pieces of content from file-sharing platforms
94,004 from Meta apps
35,093 from Google
17,417 from X
1,742 from Telegram
1,001 from TikTok
14 from Line
3 from app stores
Sabar emphasized that the astronomical figures highlight the real extent of digital threats that the Komdigi and Indonesia as a whole face.
The Government Encouraged the Public to Report Negative Content
Commenting further on the matter, Sabar emphasized that the Komdigi’s actions seek to protect the Indonesian public from digital harm and not to limit locals’ freedom of expression. He explained that the government wants to protect the public and create a clean and healthy digital sector that complies with local laws.
Sabar encouraged Indonesians to play their part and report negative content whenever they spot it.
In the meantime, Indonesia continues to work hard on reinforcing its protections against harmful content. To that end, the government continues to trial the Content Moderation Compliance System (SAMAN), which seeks to automate certain processes and improve Indonesia’s capabilities to tackle negative content. SAMAN’s trial will conclude in October.
Indonesia Seized Gambling Funds
In other news, Indonesia recently seized $9.5 million worth of funds associated with illegal gambling. This was a part of one of the biggest crackdowns on illicit gaming activities and a response to the persistent black market.
Earlier, the Financial Services Authority ordered the suspension of 26,000 bank accounts believed to have ties to gambling.
