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Italy investigates Meta over AI integration in WhatsApp

Italy’s antitrust watchdog has investigated Meta Platforms over allegations that the company may have abused its dominant position by integrating its AI assistant directly into WhatsApp.

The Rome-based authority, formally known as the Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM), announced the probe on Wednesday, stating that Meta may have breached European Union competition regulations.

The regulator claims that the introduction of the Meta AI assistant into WhatsApp was carried out without obtaining prior user consent, potentially distorting market competition.

Meta AI, the company’s virtual assistant designed to provide chatbot-style responses and other generative AI functions, has been embedded in WhatsApp since March 2025. It is accessible through the app’s search bar and is intended to offer users conversational AI services directly within the messaging interface.

The AGCM is concerned that this integration may unfairly favour Meta’s AI services by leveraging the company’s dominant position in the messaging market. It warned that such a move could steer users toward Meta’s products, limit consumer choice, and disadvantage competing AI providers.

‘By pairing Meta AI with WhatsApp, Meta appears to be able to steer its user base into the new market not through merit-based competition, but by ‘forcing’ users to accept the availability of two distinct services,’ the authority said.

It argued that this strategy may undermine rival offerings and entrench Meta’s position across adjacent digital services. In a statement, Meta confirmed cooperating fully with the Italian authorities.

The company defended the rollout of its AI features, stating that their inclusion in WhatsApp aimed to improve the user experience. ‘Offering free access to our AI features in WhatsApp gives millions of Italians the choice to use AI in a place they already know, trust and understand,’ a Meta spokesperson said via email.

The company maintains its approach, which benefits users by making advanced technology widely available through familiar platforms. The AGCM clarified that its inquiry is conducted in close cooperation with the European Commission’s relevant offices.

The cross-border collaboration reflects the growing scrutiny Meta faces from regulators across the EU over its market practices and the use of its extensive user base to promote new services.

If the authority finds Meta in breach of EU competition law, the company could face a fine of up to 10 percent of its global annual turnover. Under Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, abusing a dominant market position is prohibited, particularly if it affects trade between member states or restricts competition.

To gather evidence, AGCM officials inspected the premises of Meta’s Italian subsidiary, accompanied by Guardia di Finanza, the tax police’s special antitrust unit in Italy.

The inspections were part of preliminary investigative steps to assess the impact of Meta AI’s deployment within WhatsApp. Regulators fear that embedding AI assistants into dominant platforms could lead to unfair advantages in emerging AI markets.

By relying on its established user base and platform integration, Meta may effectively foreclose competition by making alternative AI services harder to access or less visible to consumers. Such a case would not be the first time Meta has faced regulatory scrutiny in Europe.

The company has been the subject of multiple investigations across the EU concerning data protection, content moderation, advertising practices, and market dominance. The current probe adds to a growing list of regulatory pressures facing the tech giant as it expands its AI capabilities.

The AGCM’s investigation comes amid broader EU efforts to ensure fair competition in digital markets. With the Digital Markets Act and AI Act emerging, regulators are becoming more proactive in addressing potential risks associated with integrating advanced technologies into consumer platforms.

As the investigation continues, Meta’s use of AI within WhatsApp will remain under close watch. The outcome could set an essential precedent for how dominant tech firms can release AI products within widely used communication tools.

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Google backs EU AI Code but warns against slowing innovation

Google has confirmed it will sign the European Union’s General Purpose AI Code of Practice, joining other companies, including major US model developers.

The tech giant hopes the Code will support access to safe and advanced AI tools across Europe, where rapid adoption could add up to €1.4 trillion annually to the continent’s economy by 2034.

Kent Walker, Google and Alphabet’s President of Global Affairs, said the final Code better aligns with Europe’s economic ambitions than earlier drafts, noting that Google had submitted feedback during its development.

However, he warned that parts of the Code and the broader AI Act might hinder innovation by introducing rules that stray from EU copyright law, slow product approvals or risk revealing trade secrets.

Walker explained that such requirements could restrict Europe’s ability to compete globally in AI. He highlighted the need to balance regulation with the flexibility required to keep pace with technological advances.

Google stated it will work closely with the EU’s new AI Office to help shape a proportionate, future-facing approach.

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Free VPN use surges in UK after online safety law

The UK’s new Online Safety Act has increased VPN use, as websites introduce stricter age restrictions to comply with the law. Popular platforms such as Reddit and Pornhub are either blocking minors or adding age verification, pushing many young users to turn to free VPNs to bypass the rules.

In the days following the Act’s enforcement on 25 July, five of the ten most-downloaded free apps in the UK were VPNs.

However, cybersecurity experts warn that unvetted free VPNs can pose serious risks, with some selling user data or containing malware.

Using a VPN means routing all your internet traffic through an external server, effectively handing over access to your browsing data.

While reputable providers like Proton VPN offer safe free tiers supported by paid plans, lesser-known services often lack transparency and may exploit users for profit.

Consumers are urged to check for clear privacy policies, audited security practices and credible business information before using a VPN. Trusted options for safer browsing include Proton VPN, TunnelBear, Windscribe, and hide.me.

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EU AI Act begins as tech firms push back

Europe’s AI crackdown officially begins soon, as the EU enforces the first rules targeting developers of generative AI models like ChatGPT.

Under the AI Act, firms must now assess systemic risks, conduct adversarial testing, ensure cybersecurity, report serious incidents, and even disclose energy usage. The goal is to prevent harms related to bias, misinformation, manipulation, and lack of transparency in AI systems.

Although the legislation was passed last year, the EU only released developer guidance on 10 July, leaving tech giants with little time to adapt.

Meta, which developed the Llama AI model, has refused to sign the voluntary code of practice, arguing that it introduces legal uncertainty. Other developers have expressed concerns over how vague and generic the guidance remains, especially around copyright and practical compliance.

The EU also distinguishes itself from the US, where a re-elected Trump administration has launched a far looser AI Action Plan. While Washington supports minimal restrictions to encourage innovation, Brussels is focused on safety and transparency.

Trade tensions may grow, but experts warn that developers should not rely on future political deals instead of taking immediate steps toward compliance.

The AI Act’s rollout will continue into 2026, with the next phase focusing on high-risk AI systems in healthcare, law enforcement, and critical infrastructure.

Meanwhile, questions remain over whether AI-generated content qualifies for copyright protection and how companies should handle AI in marketing or supply chains. For now, Europe’s push for safer AI is accelerating—whether Big Tech likes it or not.

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Australia reverses its stance and restricts YouTube for children under 16

Australia has announced that YouTube will be banned for children under 16 starting in December, reversing its earlier exemption from strict new social media age rules. The decision follows growing concerns about online harm to young users.

Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and X are already subject to the upcoming restrictions, and YouTube will now join the list of ‘age-restricted social media platforms’.

From 10 December, all such platforms will be required to ensure users are aged 16 or older or face fines of up to AU$50 million (£26 million) for not taking adequate steps to verify age. Although those steps remain undefined, users will not need to upload official documents like passports or licences.

The government has said platforms must find alternatives instead of relying on intrusive ID checks.

Communications Minister Anika Wells defended the policy, stating that four in ten Australian children reported recent harm on YouTube. She insisted the government would not back down under legal pressure from Alphabet Inc., YouTube’s US-based parent company.

Children can still view videos, but won’t be allowed to hold personal YouTube accounts.

YouTube criticised the move, claiming the platform is not social media but a video library often accessed through TVs. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia would campaign at a UN forum in September to promote global backing for social media age restrictions.

Exemptions will apply to apps used mainly for education, health, messaging, or gaming, which are considered less harmful.

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Google adds narrated slide videos to NotebookLM

Google has added a new dimension to NotebookLM by introducing Video Overviews, a feature that transforms your content into narrated slide presentations.

Originally revealed at Google I/O, the tool builds on the popularity of Audio Overviews, which generated AI-hosted podcast-style summaries. Instead of relying solely on audio, users can now enjoy visual storytelling powered by the same AI.

Video Overviews automatically pulls elements like images, diagrams, quotes and statistics from documents to create slide-based summaries.

The tool supports professionals and students by simplifying complex reports or academic papers into engaging visual formats. Users can also customise the video output by defining learning goals, selecting key topics, or tailoring it to a specific audience.

For now, the rollout is limited to English-speaking users on desktops, but Google plans to expand the formats. Narrated slides are the first to launch, combining clear visuals with spoken summaries, helping visual learners engage with content more effectively instead of reading lengthy text.

Alongside the new feature, Google has redesigned the NotebookLM Studio interface. Users can now generate and store multiple outputs—Audio Overviews, Reports, Study Guides, or Mind Maps—all within a single notebook.

The update also allows users to interact with different tools simultaneously, such as listening to an AI podcast while reviewing a study guide, offering a more integrated and versatile learning experience.

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Tea dating app suspends messaging after the major data breach

The women’s dating safety app Tea has suspended its messaging feature following a cyberattack that exposed thousands of private messages, posts and images.

The app, which helps women run background checks on men, confirmed that direct messages were accessed during the initial breach disclosed in late July.

Tea has 1.6 million users, primarily in the US. Affected users will be contacted directly and offered free identity protection services, including credit monitoring and fraud alerts.

The company said it is working to strengthen its security and will provide updates as the investigation continues. Some of the leaked conversations reportedly contain sensitive discussions about infidelity and abortion.

Experts have warned that the leak of both images and messages raises the risk of emotional harm, blackmail or identity theft. Cybersecurity specialists recommend that users accept the free protection services as soon as possible.

The breach affected those who joined the app before February 2024, including users who submitted ID photos that Tea had promised would be deleted after verification.

Tea is known for allowing women to check if a potential partner is married or has a criminal record, as well as share personal experiences to flag abusive or trustworthy behaviour.

The app’s recent popularity surge has also sparked criticism, with some claiming it unfairly targets men. As users await more information, experts urge caution and vigilance.

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EU Commission accuses Temu of failing DSA checks

The European Commission has accused Temu of breaching the Digital Services Act by failing to assess and address the sale of illegal or dangerous products.

The accusation follows months of investigation and a review of a required risk report submitted by Temu, which the Commission found too vague.

A mystery shopping exercise by the EU uncovered unsafe toys and electronics on the platform, raising concerns over consumer safety.

Additional parts of the probe are ongoing, including scrutiny of Temu’s use of addictive designs, algorithmic transparency and product recommendations.

Temu now has a few weeks to respond to the preliminary findings, though no final deadline has been given. Under the DSA, confirmed violations could result in fines of up to 6% of a company’s global turnover.

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DOJ seizes $2.3 million Bitcoin from Chaos ransomware

The US Department of Justice has moved to seize over $2.3 million in Bitcoin tied to a member of the Chaos ransomware group. The funds, taken from a wallet linked to the individual known as ‘Hors’, are alleged to be proceeds of extortion and money laundering.

Chaos operates as a ransomware-as-a-service group, renting its malware to affiliates targeting Windows, Linux, and NAS systems. The group has been active since early 2025 and is known for encrypting victims’ data while demanding crypto payments under threat of public leaks.

US Federal agents accessed the wallet in April using a recovery seed phrase from an older Electrum platform and transferred the assets to a government-controlled address. The DOJ said the operation demonstrates growing success in disrupting ransomware-related crypto flows.

Despite the seizure, challenges remain as such groups evolve their tactics and benefit from the relative anonymity of decentralised platforms. Authorities stress that continued cross-agency cooperation and advances in blockchain forensics are essential in combating future threats.

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AI bands rise as real musicians struggle to compete

AI is quickly transforming the music industry, with AI-generated bands now drawing millions of plays on platforms like Spotify.

While these acts may sound like traditional musicians, they are entirely digital creations. Streaming services rarely label AI music clearly, and the producers behind these tracks often remain anonymous and unreachable. Human artists, meanwhile, are quietly watching their workload dry up.

Music professionals are beginning to express concern. Composer Leo Sidran believes AI is already taking work away from creators like him, noting that many former clients now rely on AI-generated solutions instead of original compositions.

Unlike previous tech innovations, which empowered musicians, AI risks erasing job opportunities entirely, according to Berklee College of Music professor George Howard, who warns it could become a zero-sum game.

AI music is especially popular for passive listening—background tracks for everyday life. In contrast, real musicians still hold value among fans who engage more actively with music.

However, AI is cheap, fast, and royalty-free, making it attractive to publishers and advertisers. From film soundtracks to playlists filled with faceless artists, synthetic sound is rapidly replacing human creativity in many commercial spaces.

Experts urge musicians to double down on what makes them unique instead of mimicking trends that AI can easily replicate. Live performance remains one of the few areas where AI has yet to gain traction. Until synthetic bands take the stage, artists may still find refuge in concerts and personal connection with fans.

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