Digital Safety Policy: Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu says the government will ban children under 16 from accessing certain social media platforms, targeting cyberbullying and online grooming; the framework will be finalized after consultations and rolled out within a year. Connectivity & Telecom: Dhiraagu was named “Telco of the Year–Small Markets” at the Twimbit Telecom Awards 2026, highlighting network and digital transformation progress across inhabited islands. Fintech Security: Commercial Bank of Ceylon introduced 3-D Secure (3DS 2.x) authentication for UnionPay e-commerce transactions, aiming to strengthen online payment security and fraud protection. Energy Tech for Real-World Use: AirPlus Renewables plans to launch its EDGEWIND Tech XEVA turbine, designed for decentralized power generation near where electricity is used, with deployments including the Maldives. Tourism Tech & Engineering: Visit Maldives endorsed TechEng 2026 (6–8 Oct, Hulhumalé), a B2B expo focused on energy, water, digital infrastructure, smart tech, and sustainable engineering for hospitality. Space-Inspired Hospitality: Le Méridien Maldives unveiled an after-dark stargazing programme with a resident astronomer and solar observation sessions, built with local astronomy specialist Space Cat. Travel Tech Insight: RateGain released its Direct Booking Friction Report 2026, arguing hotels lose direct bookings mainly due to friction in their own digital booking journeys, not just demand or pricing.