2025 Year in Review

The Eurasian Digital Foundation congratulates our readers on the upcoming 2026! The past year brought new challenges but also significant achievements in protecting digital human rights.

We organized major forums, reached the final judicial instance in the shutdown.kz project, spoke at dozens of conferences, contributed to national digital legislation, and provided recommendations in government working groups.

Legislation EDF experts participated in working groups on two landmark acts shaping Kazakhstan’s digital landscape — the Law on Artificial Intelligence and the draft Digital Code.

The AI Law, signed by the President on November 17, incorporated several of our recommendations, including a ban on AI systems that use subconscious, manipulative, or similar methods.

Within the Majilis Working Group, EDF proposed norms on human rights protection in the digital environment, reflected in the updated Digital Code. The Code enshrines the unconditional priority of human rights and freedoms, recognition of the individual as the key subject of digital relations, and requirements for technologies to respect dignity, ensure non‑discrimination, privacy, human involvement in automated decisions, and judicial protection.

Key Events in 2025

• Privacy Day 2025 Conference: Global experts discussed data protection and reducing excessive data collection. Kazakhstani experts highlighted “Privacy as a Competitive Advantage in Business.”

• Digital Almaty 2025: EDF presented on digital legislation and the Digital Code.

• RightsCon 2025, Taipei: With 2,000+ participants from 150 countries, EDF hosted a session on “Strategic litigation as a tool to combat internet shutdowns.”

• Litigation against shutdowns: EDF filed petitions to the Supreme Court and Constitutional Court of Kazakhstan, challenging internet shutdown practices.

• Telegram’s Letter of Thanks: In response to EDF’s post on Nepal’s September 2025 events, Telegram Messenger Inc. thanked EDF for supporting freedom of expression and access to information.

• Qazaqstan IGF 2025: The third National Internet Governance Forum gathered 200+ participants onsite and online to discuss digital development, AI responsibility, and workforce training.

• Eurasian Data Protection Congress: EDF co‑organized and presented on AI regulation in Kazakhstan.

• InternetCA 2025 Forum: EDF experts spoke at the 16th Central Asian Internet Development Forum.

• OSCE Central Asia Media Conference, Tashkent: EDF joined an interactive workshop on adapting OSCE’s Policy Manual on media freedom for the region.

We sincerely thank our partners, friends, and subscribers for being with us throughout the year. Your participation, ideas, and comments inspire us. Ahead lies even more — we wish you growth and prosperity in 2026!