The new markets are Australia, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea and Vietnam, with the rollout covering desktop and iOS in all listed countries except Japan, where it is currently limited to desktop users.

Gemini in Chrome first launched in the United States in January, after which Google extended access to India, Canada and New Zealand in March. With this latest expansion, more users can now use the feature directly inside the Chrome browser.

Google has been adding more Gemini tools to Chrome since last year. The assistant appears in a floating window and can help users with tasks while they browse.

Earlier this year, Google also introduced a sidebar version that can answer questions across multiple tabs. It can summarise long pages, compare information from open tabs and respond without users leaving the browser.

The feature also works with several Google services. Users can schedule meetings through Calendar, check places with Maps, and draft or send emails through Gmail.

Google’s Personal Intelligence feature is also available through Gemini in Chrome. It allows users to connect services such as Gmail and Google Photos to receive more personalised responses.

Users can also ask questions about YouTube videos while staying on the same page.

Another tool, Nano Banana 2, lets users edit or transform images on the web using text prompts in the Chrome sidebar.

Some advanced functions are still limited to the United States. Google said its agentic feature, which can control a browser window and complete tasks for users, is still being tested.

That feature is only available to subscribers on the AI Pro and AI Ultra paid plans in the U.S. for now.

Starting Monday, March 9, 2026, pornographic platforms operating in Australia must implement robust age-verification technology to block users under 18 or face crippling financial penalties.

The move follows Australia’s landmark 2025 legislation that banned children under 16 from social media, further cementing the country’s position as a regulatory test-bed for online safety technology.

The Enforcement Mechanism: Reasonable Steps and Heavy Fines

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has issued a final warning to global platforms, including industry giants like Aylo, owners of Pornhub, that reasonable steps must be taken to ensure capture integrity.

• The Penalty: Platforms found in breach of the new safety codes could face fines of up to $49.5 million (AUD) per breach.
• The Protest: In response to the looming deadline, several major adult sites have proactively begun “geo-blocking” all Australian users, citing the technical difficulty of implementing privacy-preserving age assurance without compromising user data.

The Technology Battle: From Selfies to Signal Detection

For the tech ecosystem, the Australian mandate is driving a surge in the Age Assurance market. Platforms are now being forced to choose between several emerging technical paths:

Facial Age Analysis: Using AI to estimate age from a live selfie without storing biometric data.

Third-Party Identity Oracles: Integrating with verified identity providers to confirm age without sharing a user’s full name or address.

Signal-Based Verification: Analyzing device metadata and behavioural signals to predict user age.

A Precedent for Nigeria?

Australia’s move is part of a growing Regulatory Domino Effect. Similar debates are already brewing in Europe, the UK, and even Nigeria, as regulators look for ways to protect minors from harmful content without creating a surveillance state.

For Nigerian Safety Tech startups, this global shift presents a massive opportunity. As more countries adopt the Australian Model, the demand for privacy-preserving identity verification APIs, like those being developed by NativeID and Smile ID, will become a mandatory infrastructure requirement for every global platform.

What this means for the global tech economy:

The Open Internet is increasingly being replaced by a Verified Internet. For businesses, this means identity is no longer just a KYC (Know Your Customer) requirement, it is now a central cybersecurity and compliance pillar.

The change started on February 24, 2026, as the company also expanded its age-verification tools for developers in Brazil and in two U.S. states, Utah and Louisiana.

The update affects how age categories are shared between users and app developers. Apple said it is rolling out new features through its Declared Age Range API, which is now available in beta.

The tool allows developers to request a user’s age category without accessing personal data such as a date of birth.

In Brazil, developers can use the updated API to obtain a user’s age category. The age category will only be shared if the user, or a parent or guardian where relevant, agrees, while API will also return a signal from the user’s device about the method of age assurance.

Apple confirmed that, from February 24, 2026, it will block downloads of apps rated 18+ in Australia, Brazil and Singapore unless users are confirmed to be adults through reasonable methods.

The App Store will carry out that confirmation automatically. However, Apple noted that developers may still have separate legal duties to verify users under local law.

In Brazil, developers who identify their apps as containing loot boxes through Apple’s age rating questionnaire will see their app ratings updated to 18+ on the Brazil storefront. Lawmakers in the country have spoken about gambling-like features in games.

In the United States, new regulations will take effect in two states. For users with new Apple accounts in Utah from 6 May 2026, and in Louisiana from 1 July 2026, age categories will be shared with developers’ apps when requested through the Declared Age Range API.

Apple said it has expanded its existing tools to help developers meet legal requirements in both states.

These tools include the Declared Age Range API, the Significant Change API under PermissionKit, a new age rating property type in StoreKit, and App Store Server Notifications.

Apple said: “New signals are now available through the Declared Age Range API, including whether age-related regulatory requirements apply to the user and if the user is required to share their age range.

“The API will also let you know if you need to get a parent or guardian’s permission for significant app updates for a child.”

Developers can use the API to present important update notifications to adults in Utah and Louisiana through what Apple calls the Significant Update Action, which remains in beta.

When releasing a significant update, developers must follow Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines and provide a clear description of the changes.

Apple previously worked to meet similar age-assurance requirements in Texas in October last year. It later paused parts of that plan in December after the state law faced a court challenge.

Governments in several countries have introduced stricter age-assurance rules aimed at limiting minors’ access to certain digital services. Apple’s latest changes adjust how its platforms, including iOS, iPadOS and macOS, handle age ratings, permissions and account signals in response to those laws.

For developers, the changes mean closer attention to local regulations. In Brazil, game makers that include loot boxes must now accept an automatic 18+ rating.

In Australia, Brazil and Singapore, 18+ apps will not download until adult status is confirmed. In Utah and Louisiana, age categories will flow directly to apps when requested, provided the user meets the new account conditions.

Apple said the updated tools are designed to give developers a way to meet legal obligations without collecting sensitive personal information.

This annual report highlights how international students are becoming increasingly strategic in their study abroad choices, prioritizing affordability, employability, and policy stability over prestige or tradition.

According to the report, while global demand for international education remains strong, volatility in major destination policies and economic headwinds are forcing students and families in Nigeria to re-evaluate their return on investment (ROI) more closely than ever.

“The decision to study abroad is now, more than ever, a financial calculation,” said Meti Basiri, Co-Founder & CEO at ApplyBoard. “For international students, the focus has shifted toward tangible outcomes, affordable education, post-study work opportunities, and destinations that offer policy consistency. Our 2026 report equips them with the insights to make informed decisions about where to study and how to build successful global careers.”

Key Findings: Financial Strategy and Career Outcomes Driving Student Mobility

Financial Pressures and Affordability Take Center Stage
Rising tuition fees and higher proof-of-funds requirements in traditional “Big Four” destinations (Canada, the US, the UK, and Australia) are forcing students to rethink their options.

• Germany and Ireland are now widely viewed as some of the most affordable destinations, offering lower tuition fees and flexible post-study work windows.
• France and Spain are attracting record enrolments, supported by national housing initiatives and simplified student visa routes.

Changing Pathways in Established Markets

Policy tightening continues to disrupt the traditional flow of international students to English-speaking countries.

• In Canada, new study permit issuances are projected to fall by 54% year-over-year in 2025 , while post-graduation work permit (PGWP) issuances could decline by 30%.
• Australia and the UK are maintaining stable volumes but face tempered demand amid stricter compliance standards and higher living costs.

The Rise of Stable Alternatives

Non-Anglophone destinations are refining their policies to welcome record numbers of students

• Germany surpassed 400,000 international students in the winter 2024/25 semester, supported by strong study-to-work transitions and dual citizenship reforms.
• France is planning to host 30,000 Indian students by 2030, pairing ambitious goals with clear employment pathways and centralized housing support.
• South Korea and the United Arab Emirates are rapidly expanding international student enrolments through extended work rights and streamlined immigration processes.

Global Job Vacancies Reflect Uneven Recovery

The global job market awaiting new graduates is fundamentally weaker than in recent years:

• Weak Global Economic Outlook: Most major financial institutions project a weak global economic outlook for 2026. The World Bank forecasts that the “2020s as a whole will have the slowest GDP pace of any decade since the 1960s,” signaling a challenging labor market for new graduates.
• Anglophone Markets Tighten: Job markets in Canada, the UK, and the US are tightening significantly. In 2025, Canada and the UK both recorded a 14% decline in job vacancies year-over-year, while the US posted a 6% drop in vacancies, indicating a broad deceleration in hiring.
• Australia remains the outlier, with 327,000 job vacancies in August 2025—48% above pre-pandemic levels, making it the most employment-resilient of the “Big Four.”
• Across all destinations, the information technology sector shows the strongest resilience, while healthcare and social work employers, despite recent declines, continue to offer the largest overall number of job openings.

Shift Toward Future-Proof Skills and Career Readiness

Faced with uncertain job markets, international students are increasingly aligning their studies with specific workforce needs. International education counselors across the region expect a continued shift toward technology, cybersecurity, healthcare, and sustainability programs that offer global career relevance.

Workforce Integration as a Deciding Factor

Governments are supporting institutions’ efforts to embed work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities into academic programs to help students gain practical experience before graduation.

• In Canada, federal initiatives will fund 8,000 new WIL placements by 2028, creating direct industry linkages.
• Similar efforts are underway in Australia, where universities are expanding credit-bearing internships to support graduate employability.

Navigating What’s Next

The report projects that global student mobility will continue to grow, with the potential to reach 10 million international students by 2030, but along more diversified and economically driven pathways.

Students from Nigeria will remain one of the most vital student populations shaping this future, with students becoming more discerning, data-informed, and career-oriented than ever before.

“Students are focusing on real outcomes, graduate employability, financial sustainability, and long-term security,” said Meti Basiri. “By understanding these global shifts, international students and families from Nigeria can make smarter decisions and position themselves for success in a rapidly changing world.”

You see the full “Building and Rebuilding Global Education” Trends Report here.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) claims that from October 2024, Microsoft misled about 2.7 million users into thinking they had to upgrade to more expensive Microsoft 365 personal and family plans that included Copilot. 

Prices for the personal plan jumped 45% to A$159 annually, while the family plan increased 29% to A$179.

According to the ACCC, Microsoft failed to clearly inform customers that a cheaper “classic” version of Microsoft 365, without Copilot, remained available. The regulator said that users only discovered this lower-priced option after starting the cancellation process, a design choice it believes violated Australian consumer law.

“Microsoft’s conduct created the impression that customers had no choice but to pay more if they wished to continue using Microsoft 365,” the ACCC alleged. The watchdog said the company’s emails and blog posts also omitted any mention of the cheaper plan, instead informing users that the higher price would automatically apply at renewal.

The ACCC accuses Microsoft of breaching sections 18 and 29 of the Australian Consumer Law, which prohibit misleading or deceptive conduct and false or misleading representations about goods and services. It argues that Microsoft’s approach amounted to “dark patterns,” design tactics that subtly manipulate user behaviour to achieve commercial gain.

In response, a Microsoft spokesperson said the company was “reviewing the ACCC’s claim in detail.” The tech firm has not indicated whether it plans to alter its subscription messaging or reinstate clearer disclosures for customers.

If found guilty, Microsoft could face financial penalties. Under Australian law, the maximum penalty per breach is the greater of A$50 million, three times the benefit gained, or 30% of the company’s adjusted turnover during the period of violation if the benefit cannot be determined.

“Any penalty that might apply to this conduct is a matter for the Court to determine and would depend on the Court’s findings,” the ACCC stated. “The ACCC will not comment on what penalties the Court may impose.”

The regulator is also seeking consumer redress, injunctions, and legal costs against both Microsoft Australia Pty Ltd and its U.S. parent, Microsoft Corp.

The way technology companies bundle AI tools into existing products and communicate subscription choices is currently being investigated, with similar efforts underway in the European Union under the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act, while the U.S. Federal Trade Commission is examining subscription “traps” and AI-related disclosures.

The new infrastructure will serve users across Australia and New Zealand, reducing latency, improving application responsiveness, and ensuring compliance with strict data residency requirements in sectors such as healthcare, finance, and government.

With the server based locally, organisations will gain several immediate benefits. Applications will run more smoothly due to shorter data travel times, downtime risks will be reduced with improved recovery systems, and businesses will be able to keep critical information onshore, a requirement in many regulated industries. 

The infrastructure also provides flexibility to scale as customer needs evolve, whether for small businesses or larger enterprises.

Andrew Travis, chief revenue officer (CRO) at Foxit, said: “Bringing our intelligent PDF and document management solutions even closer to Foxit’s Australian customers is a significant milestone, reflective of our ongoing commitment to increasing trust and globalization. By hosting data locally, we are significantly improving performance and reliability and ensuring our customers meet stringent regulatory requirements.”

The Australian rollout comes under Foxit’s global expansion strategy to localise its cloud infrastructure. This approach aims to ensure users worldwide can access secure, high-performance digital document solutions without relying on distant servers.

Customers in Australia can now take full advantage of Foxit’s suite of tools, including secure document collaboration, advanced editing, and e-signature features, while enjoying the assurance of local cloud hosting.

Foxit, a provider of PDF and eSignature products, serves more than 640,000 customers in over 200 countries, ranging from small businesses to multinational enterprises. The company maintains offices across the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Singapore was the first on the list, with a solid infrastructure and good works focused on the adoption of these technologies.

The study ranked nations using a composite index that incorporated key metrics, including blockchain patents, jobs in blockchain technology, and the number of crypto exchanges. To ensure fair comparisons, the data was adjusted relative to population size.

1. Singapore

With a composite score of 85.4, Singapore leads the global rankings. Known for its progressive approach to technology, the country has over 2,400 blockchain-related jobs and 81 crypto exchanges. Its extensive patent activity further makes it a hub for innovation and adoption.

2. Hong Kong

Scoring 82.7, Hong Kong combines financial expertise with blockchain integration. The city hosts 1,100 jobs in blockchain technology and 52 crypto exchanges, showing its huge role in the crypto economy.

3. Estonia

Even though Estonia is one of the smallest countries on the list, it ranks third with a score of 81.5. Known for its digital-first policies, it has 95 blockchain patents, 52 exchanges, and 149 blockchain-related jobs, ascertaining that size is no barrier to innovation.

4. Switzerland

A global innovator in decentralised finance, Switzerland scores 80.2. The country supports 440 blockchain jobs and operates 32 crypto exchanges, speaking loads about its status as a blockchain-friendly nation.

5. United States

With the highest numbers across most metrics, the United States ranks fifth, scoring 79.8. It leads innovation with 32,000 blockchain patents, employs over 17,000 people in blockchain-related roles, and hosts 166 crypto exchanges.

6. Canada

Canada takes sixth place with a score of 77.3. Its 1,200 blockchain patents and an equal number of jobs in the sector highlight its growing focus on blockchain technology. The country also operates 32 crypto exchanges, offering a stable market for cryptocurrencies.

7. Australia

Scoring 76.8, Australia shows strong progress with 1,400 blockchain patents and 573 jobs in the field. Its 31 crypto exchanges further emphasise the country’s commitment to expanding its blockchain ecosystem.

8. South Korea

With a score of 75.4, South Korea stands out for its commendable 18,000 blockchain patents, the second-highest on the list. However, its smaller workforce of 121 blockchain jobs and 29 crypto exchanges places it in the eighth position.

9. United Kingdom

The UK secures the ninth spot with a score of 74.9. It has a strong presence in the crypto market, operating 95 exchanges and offering 2,673 blockchain-related jobs. The country’s 2,800 blockchain patents also reiterates its focus on innovation.

10. United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The UAE rounds off the list with a score of 73.2. It has steadily grown its blockchain ecosystem, having 340 patents, 414 blockchain jobs, and nine crypto exchanges, focusing on strategic adoption rather than scale.

A spokesperson from ApeX shared their perspective on the findings: “Blockchain technology is no longer just a niche innovation; it has become a cornerstone for digital transformation across industries. The countries leading in this space are not just embracing the technology but are actively shaping its future. What stands out is how diverse approaches—whether through regulatory clarity, investment in talent, or fostering innovation—are paving the way for global adoption. This reflects a broader shift toward decentralization and transparency, which are becoming essential in today’s interconnected economy.”

To access the full research, please follow this link.