Global Scans · Legal · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Substantive regulatory change is likely to happen in the next decade as a result of the recent U.S. Presidential election, Brexit and efforts to reduce the impacts of climate change, increase trade and reduce bureaucracy while legislating for new forms of technological advancement such as robots, driverless cars and drones.

• [New] AI systems could achieve human-level performance across most professional computer-based tasks within 12-18 months, potentially automating work in fields such as marketing, accounting, legal services, coding, and project management. MarketingProfs
• [New] Secure messaging service Signal, which uses end-to-end encryption, is warning it would withdraw from Canada if asked to compromise its users' privacy under Bill C-22, Ottawa's proposed lawful access legislation. The Globe and Mail
• [New] The EU's eIDAS 2.0 regulation, which requires member states to offer digital identity wallets by 2027, has accelerated development. Coinfomania
• [New] Expect 2026 and 2027 legislation to target generative AI platforms, payment processors, and hosting services that facilitate the creation or distribution of non-consensual synthetic content. STACK Cybersecurity
• [New] The US military is using the southern border as a testing ground for counter-drone technology as cartel surveillance flights increasingly threaten troops and federal law enforcement officials operating there, senior leaders said this week. Business Insider
• [New] The U.S. Department of Transportation is seeking public comment on opportunities to reform transportation regulations. JD Supra
• [New] Global fintech company Revolut will drop the traditional law firm panel as AI advances make it easier to select advisers more suitable to each piece of legal work. Law Gazette
• [New] Law firms are increasingly seeking systems that mirror the reality of how legal work is carried out, rather than expecting teams to reshape their practices around the limitations of technology. Legal Futures
• [New] With the drought that challenges Utah, diverting water to more AI data centers might force citizens to bear the burden of poor regulation. Forward Utah
• [New] Minnesota Legislature Chapter 181 Section 181.931 expands the definition of retaliation to include conduct that might dissuade a reasonable employee from making or supporting a report of an actual, suspected, or planned violation of a statute, regulation, or common law. Communications Workers of America
• [New] Ties with the Trump administration could be improved through respect for international law, free trade and strategic partnerships over punitive tariffs. / USA East Asia Forum
• [New] Black / African American individuals typically report the greatest fear of being killed by law enforcement. Futurity
• [New] As California charter schools look ahead to the 2026-27 school year, several new legal requirements are set to take effect soon. JD Supra
• [New] Ratification was expected to strengthen Vietnam's legal framework, enhance cybersecurity capacity and support international collaboration. Clifford Chance
• [New] Any talks between the United States and China over AI regulations will be fraught with suspicion and risk. Los Angeles Times
• [New] Greenpeace will not rest until Big Oil can no longer use and abuse the legal system. Greenpeace Australia Pacific
• [New] The shift in U.S. political leadership brought a fundamental restructuring of cryptocurrency regulation, while global developments in blockchain technology and digital currencies created both opportunities and challenges for legal practitioners. GLI
• [New] Enforcement of data privacy regulations has intensified, leading 70% of enterprises to prefer onshore providers to mitigate legal risks associated with cross-border data transfers. Market Data Forecast
• [New] Nearly half of global leaders expect new legal frameworks to emerge specifically to govern AI-to-AI interactions within the decade, and two-thirds say that shift will be transformational for their business. Legal Futures
• [New] The legal architecture for future escalation is already being constructed domestically inside Russia, including veiled threats accusing Baltic states of facilitating Ukraine's attacks inside Russia. Global Defense Insight

Last updated: 26 May 2026