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Quantum cryptography pioneers win top computing prize

Two researchers have been awarded the Turing Award for pioneering work in quantum cryptography. Their research laid the foundations for a new form of secure communication based on quantum physics.

The method, developed in the 1980s, enables encryption keys that cannot be copied without detection. Any attempt to intercept the data alters its physical properties, revealing interference.

Experts say the approach could become vital as quantum computing advances. Traditional encryption methods may become vulnerable as computing power increases.

The award highlights the growing importance of secure data transmission in a digital world. Researchers believe quantum cryptography could play a central role in encrypting and protecting future communications.

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EU advances AI simplification effort ahead of further negotiations

A committee within the European Parliament has approved a proposal to simplify aspects of AI regulation, marking a step forward in efforts to refine the implementation of the AI Act.

An initiative that seeks to adjust certain requirements to support clearer compliance, particularly for industry stakeholders.

The proposal focuses on technical and procedural elements linked to how AI rules are applied in practice.

Lawmakers aim to ensure that regulatory obligations remain proportionate while maintaining existing safeguards. Part of the discussion includes how specific categories of AI systems should be addressed within the broader framework.

Some elements of the proposal may require further discussion in upcoming negotiations with the Council of the European Union. Areas under consideration include the treatment of sensitive AI applications and the balance between regulatory clarity and enforcement effectiveness.

The development reflects ongoing efforts within the EU to refine its approach to AI governance. As discussions continue, policymakers are expected to assess how adjustments can support innovation while maintaining consistency with existing legal principles.

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Meta to end Instagram private message encryption after May 8

The US tech giant, Meta, has announced that end-to-end encryption for private messages on Instagram will no longer be supported after 8 May.

Previously, such a technology ensured that only intended recipients could read messages, preventing even Meta from accessing their contents.

The decision follows concerns from law enforcement and child protection organisations, which argued that encrypted messages can make it harder to identify harmful content involving children.

Meta has stated that the update allows the platform to monitor messages while maintaining standard privacy safeguards.

End-to-end encryption had been the default for several messaging platforms, including WhatsApp, Messenger, and other Meta services.

The company first signalled its intent to expand encryption across Instagram and Messenger in 2019, implementing it in 2023. The plan was met with objections from organisations such as the Internet Watch Foundation and the Virtual Global Taskforce.

These groups highlighted potential risks in preventing the timely detection of harmful content, particularly child sexual abuse material.

Meta’s shift reflects a compromise between privacy, platform security, and online child safety. The company has not provided further details on changes to encryption policies beyond Instagram’s private messaging service.

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Meta’s metaverse collapses as Horizon Worlds shuts down on Quest

Meta will shut down Horizon Worlds on its Quest headsets, ending its flagship virtual reality (VR) platform and marking a clear retreat from its metaverse ambitions. The app will be removed from the Quest store on 31 March and discontinued in VR by 15 June, continuing only as a mobile service.

Horizon Worlds, launched in 2021, was central to Meta’s rebranding from Facebook and its vision of a fully immersive virtual environment. Despite billions in investment and high-profile partnerships, the platform failed to attract a large user base and struggled with design limitations and weak engagement.

Reality Labs, the division behind the metaverse push, has accumulated nearly $80 billion in losses since 2020, including more than $6 billion in a single quarter. Recent layoffs affecting around 10 percent of the VR workforce, along with the shutdown of related projects, underscore a broader pullback.

Competition and shifting priorities have accelerated the decline. Rival platforms such as VRChat maintained stronger communities, while Meta increasingly redirected resources toward AI and hardware, including its Ray-Ban smart glasses.

Although Meta says it remains committed to VR, the closure of Horizon Worlds signals a strategic reset. The company is repositioning its future around AI-driven products, marking a decisive shift away from its earlier metaverse vision.

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Google responds to UK digital market rules and CMA proposals

Debate over proposed UK digital market rules is intensifying, with Google outlining its position and emphasising the need to balance competition with user experience and platform integrity. The company said it supports the objectives of the Competition and Markets Authority but warned that some proposals could introduce risks for users.

G o ogle argued that maintaining fair and relevant search results remains a priority, stating that its ranking systems are designed to prioritise quality rather than favour its own services. It cautioned that certain third-party proposals could expose its systems to manipulation, potentially weakening protections against spam and reducing the pace of product improvements.

The company also addressed user choice on Android devices, noting that existing options already allow users to select preferred services. It suggested that adding frequent mandatory choice screens could disrupt user experience, proposing instead a permanent settings-based option to change defaults without repeated prompts.

Regarding publisher relations, Google highlighted efforts to increase control over how content is used, particularly with generative AI features such as AI Overviews. It said new tools are being developed to allow publishers to opt out of specific AI functionalities while maintaining visibility in search results.

Google said it would continue engaging with UK regulators to shape rules that support users, publishers, and businesses, while ensuring that innovation and service quality are not compromised.

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EU child safety rules lapse amid ongoing debate over privacy and enforcement

The European Union has been unable to reach an agreement on extending temporary rules that allow online platforms to detect child sexual abuse material, leaving the current framework set to expire in April.

Discussions between the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union concluded without reaching a consensus on how to proceed with such measures.

The existing rules permit technology companies to voluntarily scan their services for harmful content, supporting efforts to identify and remove illegal material.

The European Commission had proposed a temporary extension while negotiations continue on a permanent framework under the Child Sexual Abuse Regulation, but differing views on scope and safeguards prevented agreement.

Stakeholders across sectors have highlighted the importance of maintaining effective tools to address online harms, while also emphasising the need to respect fundamental rights.

Previous periods of legal uncertainty have shown that detection capabilities may be affected when such frameworks are absent, although assessments of effectiveness remain subject to ongoing debate.

At the same time, concerns have been raised regarding the broader implications of monitoring digital communications. Some perspectives stress that any approach should carefully consider privacy protections, particularly in relation to secure and encrypted services.

Attention now turns to ongoing negotiations on a long-term regulatory solution.

The outcome will shape how the EU approaches the challenge of addressing harmful online content while safeguarding rights and ensuring proportional and transparent enforcement.

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UNESCO launches research on harmful online content governance in South Africa

A new research initiative led by UNESCO is examining the governance of harmful online content in South Africa, bringing together actors from government, academia, civil society and technology platforms to strengthen digital governance frameworks.

Conducted under the Social Media 4 Peace programme and supported by the EU, the study investigates the spread and impact of hate speech and disinformation while assessing existing regulatory approaches and platform governance systems.

Emphasis is placed on identifying structural gaps and developing practical responses suited to the country’s socio-political context.

Stakeholder engagement has shaped the research design to reflect local realities, with the aim of producing actionable and rights-based recommendations. As noted by a researcher involved in the project,

‘At Research ICT Africa, we don’t want this study to end with generic recommendations. We are aiming for grounded insights into how social media is shaping information integrity in our context, alongside practical guidance that regulators, platforms, and civil society can apply.‘

Kola Ijasan, a researcher at Research ICT Africa

Regulatory perspectives also highlight the importance of understanding emerging risks. As one regulator stated,

‘We are particularly interested in identifying regulatory gaps – areas where current laws and frameworks fall short in addressing emerging digital risks.‘

Nomzamo Zondi, a regulator in South Africa.

Findings are expected to contribute to evidence-based policymaking, strengthen platform accountability and safeguard freedom of expression and access to information.

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Dublin launches major data centre microgrid

A new 110MW data centre microgrid has been launched in Dublin to support rising AI-driven energy demand. The system is designed to provide reliable power during early development stages before full grid connection.

The project combines energy generation, battery storage and heat recovery to improve efficiency and resilience. Developers say the system can help address power constraints affecting large-scale cloud and AI facilities.

Industry leaders in Dublin say the microgrid offers a model for integrating renewable energy with traditional infrastructure. The approach could be replicated in other European markets facing similar grid limitations.

Experts say the system also enables future innovations such as hydrogen integration and district heating. The project reflects a broader shift towards treating energy as a strategic asset in the expansion of AI infrastructure.

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AI fuels rise in cyber scams

Cybercrime incidents have surged as AI tools enable more convincing scams, leading to sharply rising losses in Estonia. Authorities reported thousands of phishing and fraud cases affecting individuals and businesses.

Criminals are using AI to generate fluent messages in Estonian, removing a key warning sign that once helped people detect scams. Experts say language accuracy has made fraudulent calls and messages harder to identify.

Growing awareness of scams is also fuelling public anxiety, with some users considering abandoning digital services. Officials warn that loss of trust could undermine confidence in digital systems.

Authorities are urging stronger safeguards and public education to counter the cybersecurity threats. Banks, telecom firms and digital identity providers are introducing new protections while campaigns aim to improve digital awareness.

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AgentKit enables ID verification for AI-powered online commerce

Tools for Humanity has introduced a new verification system to strengthen trust in online transactions, as demand for reliable ID verification tools grows in AI-driven environments. The update builds on its World project, which aims to prove that real humans, rather than automated systems, are behind digital activity.

The company’s latest release, AgentKit, is designed to support agentic commerce by allowing websites to verify that AI agents are acting on behalf of authenticated users. As AI programs increasingly browse websites and make purchases autonomously, ID verification tools are becoming essential to prevent fraud, spam, and misuse.

AgentKit relies on World ID, a system that generates a secure digital identity through biometric verification. Users obtain a verified ID by scanning their iris using a dedicated device, which converts the scan into an encrypted digital code. These ID verification tools are then used to confirm that transactions initiated by AI agents are linked to a real and unique individual.

The system integrates with the x402 protocol, a blockchain-based standard developed by Coinbase and Cloudflare, enabling automated transactions between systems. By combining this protocol with ID verification tools, websites can validate whether a human user authorises an AI agent before completing a purchase.

‘AgentKit is built as a complementary extension to the x402 v2 protocol, in coordination with Coinbase,’ the company said. ‘The integration is designed so that any website already using x402 can enable proof of unique human verification alongside (or instead of) micropayments.’

According to the company, the approach functions similarly to delegating authority to an AI agent, allowing platforms to decide whether to trust automated actions. These ID verification tools provide a layer of accountability, helping ensure that AI-driven transactions remain secure and traceable.

AgentKit is currently available in beta, with developers encouraged to test and refine the system. However, access depends on users obtaining a verified World ID, reinforcing the central role of biometric-based ID verification tools in the company’s ecosystem.

As agentic commerce expands across platforms such as Amazon and Mastercard, the need for trusted identity systems is becoming more urgent. By positioning its ID verification tools at the centre of this emerging market, the company aims to establish itself as a key provider of trust infrastructure for AI-powered digital transactions.

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