Mozilla has confirmed that Firefox will include a built-in ‘AI kill switch‘ from version 148, allowing users to disable all AI features across the browser. The update follows earlier commitments that AI tools would remain optional as Firefox evolves into what the company describes as an AI-enabled browser.
The new controls will appear in the desktop release scheduled to begin rolling out on 24 February. A dedicated AI Controls section will allow users to turn off every AI feature at once or manage each tool individually, reflecting Mozilla’s aim to balance innovation with user choice.
At launch, Firefox 148 will introduce AI-powered translations, automatic alt text for images in PDFs, tab grouping suggestions, link previews, and an optional sidebar chatbot supporting services such as ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, Gemini, and Le Chat Mistral.
All of these tools can be disabled through a single ‘Block AI enhancements’ toggle, which removes prompts and prevents new AI features from appearing. Mozilla has said preferences will remain in place across updates, with users able to adjust settings at any time.
The organisation said the approach is intended to give people full control over how AI appears in their browsing experience, while continuing development for those who choose to use it. Early access to the controls will also be available through Firefox Nightly.
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The European Commission plans to decide by early 2026 whether OpenAI’s ChatGPT should be classified as a vast online platform under the Digital Services Act.
OpenAI’s tool reported 120.4 million average monthly users in the EU back in October, a figure far above the 45-million threshold that triggers more onerous obligations instead of lighter oversight.
Officials said the designation procedure depends on both quantitative and qualitative assessments of how a service operates, together with input from national authorities.
The Commission is examining whether a standalone AI chatbot can fall within the scope of rules usually applied to platforms such as social networks, online marketplaces and significant search engines.
ChatGPT’s user data largely stems from its integrated online search feature, which prompts users to allow the chatbot to search the web. The Commission noted that OpenAI could voluntarily meet the DSA’s risk-reduction obligations while the formal assessment continues.
The EU’s latest wave of designations included Meta’s WhatsApp, though the rules applied only to public channels, not private messaging.
A decision on ChatGPT that will clarify how far the bloc intends to extend its most stringent online governance framework to emerging AI systems.
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The cybercrime unit of the Paris prosecutor has raided the French office of X as part of an expanding investigation into alleged algorithm manipulation and illicit data extraction.
Authorities said the probe began in 2025 after a lawmaker warned that biassed algorithms on the platform might have interfered with automated data systems. Europol supported the operation together with national cybercrime officers.
Prosecutors confirmed that the investigation now includes allegations of complicity in circulating child sex abuse material, sexually explicit deepfakes and denial of crimes against humanity.
Elon Musk and former chief executive Linda Yaccarino have been summoned for questioning in April in their roles as senior figures of the company at the time.
The prosecutor’s office also announced its departure from X in favour of LinkedIn and Instagram, rather than continuing to use the platform under scrutiny.
X strongly rejected the accusations and described the raid as politically motivated. Musk claimed authorities should focus on pursuing sex offenders instead of targeting the company.
The platform’s government affairs team said the investigation amounted to law enforcement theatre rather than a legitimate examination of serious offences.
Regulatory pressure increased further as the UK data watchdog opened inquiries into both X and xAI over concerns about Grok producing sexualised deepfakes. Ofcom is already conducting a separate investigation that is expected to take months.
The widening scrutiny reflects growing unease around alleged harmful content, political interference and the broader risks linked to large-scale AI systems.
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OpenAI faced a wave of global complaints after many users struggled to access ChatGPT.
Reports began circulating in the US during the afternoon, with outage cases climbing to more than 12.000 in less than half an hour. Social media quickly filled with questions from people trying to determine whether the disruption was widespread or a local glitch.
Also, users in the UK reported complete failure to generate responses, yet access returned when they switched to a US-based VPN.
Other regions saw mixed results, as VPNs in Ireland, Canada, India and Poland allowed ChatGPT to function, although replies were noticeably slower instead of consistent.
OpenAI later confirmed that several services were experiencing elevated errors. Engineers identified the source of the disruption, introduced mitigations and continued monitoring the recovery.
The company stressed that users in many regions might still experience intermittent problems while the system stabilises rather than operating at full capacity.
In the following update, OpenAI announced that its systems were fully operational again.
The status page indicated that the affected services had recovered, and engineers were no longer aware of active issues. The company added that the underlying fault was addressed, with further safeguards being developed to prevent similar incidents.
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UpScrolled has surpassed 2.5 million users globally, gaining rapid momentum following TikTok’s restructuring of its US ownership earlier this year, according to founder Issam Hijazi.
The social network grew to around 150,000 users in its first six months before accelerating sharply in January, crossing one million users within weeks and reaching more than 2.5 million shortly afterwards.
Positioned as a hybrid of Instagram and X, UpScrolled promotes itself as an open platform free of shadowbanning and selective content suppression, while criticising major technology firms for data monetisation and algorithm-driven engagement practices.
Hijazi said the company would avoid amplification algorithms but acknowledged the need for community guidelines, particularly amid concerns about explicit content appearing on the platform.
Interest in alternative social networks has increased since TikTok’s shift to US ownership, though analysts note that long-term growth will depend on moderation frameworks, feature development, and sustained community trust.
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Austria is advancing plans to bar children under 14 from social media when the new school year begins in September 2026, according to comments from a senior Austrian official. Poland’s government is drafting a law to restrict access for under-15s, using digital ID tools to confirm age.
Austria’s governing parties support protecting young people online but differ on how to verify ages securely without undermining privacy. In Poland supporters of the draft argue that early exposure to screens is a parental and platform enforcement issue.
Austria and Poland form part of a broader European trend as France moves to ban under-15s and the UK is debating similar measures. Wider debates tie these proposals to concerns about children’s mental health and online safety.
Proponents in both Austria and Poland aim to finalise legal frameworks by 2026, with implementation potentially rolling out in the following year if national parliaments approve the age restrictions.
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Researchers at Incheon National University have developed biodegradable gas sensors designed to reduce electronic waste while improving air quality monitoring. The technology targets nitrogen dioxide, a pollutant linked to fossil fuel combustion and respiratory diseases.
The sensors are built using organic field-effect transistors, a lightweight and low-energy alternative suited for portable environmental monitoring devices. OFET-based systems are also easier to manufacture compared with traditional silicon electronics.
To create the sensing layer, the research team blended an organic semiconductor polymer, P3HT, with a biodegradable material, PBS. Each polymer was prepared separately in chloroform before being combined into a uniform solution.
Performance varied with solvent composition, with mixtures of chloroform and dichlorobenzene yielding the most consistent and sensitive sensor structures. High PBS concentrations remained effective without compromising detection accuracy.
Project lead Professor Park said the approach balances sustainability and performance, particularly for use in natural environments. The biodegradable design could contribute to long-term pollution monitoring and waste reduction.
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Technology firms in China are rolling out large cash incentive campaigns to attract users to their AI chatbots ahead of the expected launch of new AI models later this month.
Alibaba Group has earmarked CNY 3 billion for users of its Qwen AI app, with the promotion beginning on 6 February to coincide with Lunar New Year celebrations.
Tencent Holdings and Baidu have announced similar offers, together committing around CNY 1.5 billion in cash rewards and consumer electronics, including smartphones and televisions.
To qualify for prizes, users must register on the platforms and interact with the chatbots during the promotional period by asking questions or completing everyday planning tasks.
The incentives reflect intensifying competition with global developers such as Google and OpenAI, while also strengthening efforts to position China-based firms as potential local AI partners for Apple in the Chinese market.
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Oracle is expanding AI data centres across the United States while pairing infrastructure growth with workforce development through its philanthropic education programme, Oracle Academy.
The initiative provides schools and educators with curriculum, cloud tools, software, and hands-on training designed to prepare students for enterprise-scale technology roles increasingly linked to AI operations.
As demand for specialised skills rises, Oracle Academy is introducing Data Centre Technician courses to fast-track learners into permanent roles supporting AI infrastructure development and maintenance.
The programme already works with hundreds of institutions across multiple US states, including Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin, and New Mexico, spanning disciplines from computer science and engineering to construction management and supply chain studies.
Alongside new courses in machine learning, generative AI, and analytics, Oracle says the approach is intended to close skills gaps and ensure local communities benefit from the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure.
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Snapchat has blocked more than 415,000 Australian accounts after the national ban on under-16s began, marking a rapid escalation in the country’s effort to restrict children’s access to major platforms.
The company relied on a mix of self-reported ages and age-detection technologies to identify users who appeared to be under 16.
The platform warned that age verification still faces serious shortcomings, leaving room for teenagers to bypass safeguards rather than supporting reliable compliance.
Facial estimation tools remain accurate only within a narrow range, meaning some young people may slip through while older users risk losing access. Snapchat also noted the likelihood that teenagers will shift towards less regulated messaging apps.
The eSafety commissioner has focused regulatory pressure on the 10 largest platforms, although all services with Australian users are expected to assess whether they fall under the new requirements.
Officials have acknowledged that the technology needs improvement and that reliability issues, such as the absence of a liveness check, contributed to false results.
