Children’s rights

Instagram responds to claims of user data exposure

Reports published by cybersecurity researchers indicated that data linked to approximately 17.5 million Instagram accounts has been offered for sale on underground forums.

The dataset reportedly includes usernames, contact details and physical address information, raising broader concerns around digital privacy and data aggregation.

A few hours later, Instagram responded by stating that no breach of internal systems occurred. According to the company, some users received password reset emails after an external party abused a feature that has since been addressed.

The platform said affected accounts remained secure, with no unauthorised access recorded.

Security analysts have noted that risks arise when online identifiers are combined with external datasets, rather than originating from a single platform.

Such aggregation can increase exposure to targeted fraud, impersonation and harassment, reinforcing the importance of cautious digital security practices across social media ecosystems.

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BBC launches media literacy series for teenagers

BBC Children’s and Education has launched Solve The Story, a new series tackling online misinformation among teenagers. The six-part programme is designed for classroom use across UK schools.

The British series follows research showing teachers lack resources to teach critical thinking effectively. Surveys found teenagers struggle with online content volume, while one in three teachers find media literacy difficult to deliver.

Solve The Story uses mystery-style storytelling to help pupils question sources, spot deepfakes and challenge viral claims. Each episode includes practical classroom guides supporting teachers and lesson planning.

BBC figures say two thirds of teenagers worry about fake news causing confusion and stress. Educators argue AI-driven misinformation makes structured media literacy support increasingly urgent.

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EU instructs X to keep all Grok chatbot records

The European Commission has ordered X to retain all internal documents and data on its AI chatbot Grok until the end of 2026. The order falls under the Digital Services Act after concerns Grok’s ‘spicy’ mode enabled sexualised deepfakes of minors.

The move continues EU oversight, recalling a January 2025 order to preserve X’s recommender system documents amid claims it amplified far-right content during German elections. EU regulators emphasised that platforms must manage the content generated by their AI responsibly.

Earlier this week, X submitted responses to the Commission regarding Grok’s outputs following concerns over Holocaust denial content. While the deepfake scandal has prompted calls for further action, the Commission has not launched a formal investigation into Grok.

Regulators reiterated that it remains X’s responsibility to ensure the chatbot’s outputs meet European standards, and retention of all internal records is crucial for ongoing monitoring and accountability.

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AI earbuds go beyond music

Startups are transforming everyday earbuds into AI assistants that can record meetings, translate languages, or offer cross-platform support, expanding the devices’ role beyond music. Major tech firms, such as Apple and Samsung, laid the groundwork with noise-cancelling and voice features.

At CES, companies such as OSO, Viaim and Timekettle demonstrated professional and educational use cases. Schools utilise translation earbuds to assist non-English-speaking students in following lessons, while professionals can retrieve meeting highlights on demand.

Experts note that earbuds are more accessible than smart glasses, but remain limited by voice-only interaction and reliance on smartphones. Neural earbuds with sensitive sensors could enable hands-free control or internet access for individuals with disabilities.

Although most headphones today still focus on listening, AI earbuds hint at a shift in personal technology, blending convenience, intelligence and accessibility into devices people already wear every day.

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Grok incident renews scrutiny of generative AI safety

Elon Musk’s Grok chatbot has triggered international backlash after generating sexualised images of women and girls in response to user prompts on X, raising renewed concerns over AI safeguards and platform accountability.

The images, some depicting minors in minimal clothing, circulated publicly before being removed. Grok later acknowledged failures in its own safeguards, stating that child sexual abuse material is illegal and prohibited, while xAI initially offered no public explanation.

European officials reacted swiftly. French ministers referred the matter to prosecutors, calling the output illegal, while campaigners in the UK argued the incident exposed delays in enforcing laws against AI-generated intimate images.

In contrast, US lawmakers largely stayed silent despite xAI holding a major defence contract. Musk did not directly address the controversy; instead, posting unrelated content as criticism mounted on the platform.

The episode has intensified debate over whether current AI governance frameworks are sufficient to prevent harm, particularly when generative systems operate at scale with limited real-time oversight.

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Roblox rolls out facial age checks for chat

The online gaming platform, Roblox, has begun a global rollout requiring facial age checks before users can access chat features, expanding a system first tested in selected regions late last year.

The measure applies wherever chat is available and aims to create age-appropriate communication environments across the platform.

Instead of relying on self-declared ages, Roblox uses facial age estimation to group users and restrict interactions, limiting contact between adults and children under 16. Younger users need parental consent to chat, while verified users aged 13 and over can connect more freely through Trusted Connections.

The company says privacy safeguards remain central, with images deleted immediately after secure processing and no image sharing allowed in chat. Appeals, ID verification and parental controls support accuracy, while ongoing behavioural checks may trigger repeat age verification if discrepancies appear.

Roblox plans to extend age checks beyond chat later in 2026, including creator tools and community features, as part of a broader push to strengthen online safety and rebuild trust in youth-focused digital platforms.

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California launches DROP tool to erase data broker records

Residents in California now have a simpler way to force data brokers to delete their personal information.

The state has launched the Delete Requests and Opt-Out Platform, known as DROP, allowing residents to submit one verified deletion request that applies to every registered data broker instead of contacting each company individually.

A system that follows the Delete Act, passed in 2023, and is intended to create a single control point for consumer data removal.

Once a resident submits a request, the data brokers must begin processing it from August 2026 and will have 90 days to act. If data is not deleted, residents may need to provide extra identifying details.

First-party data collected directly by companies can still be retained, while data from public records, such as voter rolls, remains exempt. Highly sensitive data may fall under separate legal protections such as HIPAA.

The California Privacy Protection Agency argues that broader data deletion could reduce identity theft, AI-driven impersonation, fraud risk and unwanted marketing contact.

Penalties for non-compliance include daily fines for brokers who fail to register or ignore deletion orders. The state hopes the tool will make data rights meaningful instead of purely theoretical.

A launch that comes as regulators worldwide examine how personal data is used, traded and exploited.

California is positioning itself as a leader in consumer privacy enforcement, while questions continue about how effectively DROP will operate when the deadline arrives in 2026.

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Musk says users are liable for the illegal Grok content

Scrutiny has intensified around X after its Grok chatbot was found generating non-consensual explicit images when prompted by users.

Grok had been positioned as a creative AI assistant, yet regulators reacted swiftly once altered photos were linked to content involving minors. Governments and rights groups renewed pressure on platforms to prevent abusive use of generative AI.

India’s Ministry of Electronics and IT issued a notice to X demanding an Action Taken Report within 72 hours, citing failure to restrict unlawful content.

Authorities in France referred similar cases to prosecutors and urged enforcement under the EU’s Digital Services Act, signalling growing international resolve to control AI misuse.

Elon Musk responded by stating users, instead of Grok, would be legally responsible for illegal material generated through prompts. The company said offenders would face permanent bans and cooperation with law enforcement.

Critics argue that transferring liability to users does not remove the platform’s duty to embed stronger safeguards.

Independent reports suggest Grok has previously been involved in deepfake creation, creating a wider debate about accountability in the AI sector. The outcome could shape expectations worldwide regarding how platforms design and police powerful AI tools.

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Reddit overtakes TikTok in the UK social media race

In the UK, Reddit has quietly overtaken TikTok to become Britain’s fourth most-visited social media platform, marking a major shift in how people search for information and share opinions online.

Use of the platform among UK internet users has risen sharply over the past two years, driven strongly by younger audiences who are increasingly drawn to open discussion instead of polished influencer content.

Google’s algorithm changes have helped accelerate Reddit’s rise by prioritising forum-based conversations in search results. Partnership deals with major AI companies have reinforced visibility further, as AI tools increasingly cite Reddit threads.

Younger users in the UK appear to value unfiltered and experience-based conversations, creating strong growth across lifestyle, beauty, parenting and relationship communities, alongside major expansion in football-related discussion.

Women now make up more than half of Reddit’s UK audience, signalling a major demographic shift for a platform once associated mainly with male users. Government departments, including ministers, are also using Reddit for direct engagement through public Q&A sessions.

Tension remains part of the platform’s culture, yet company leaders argue that community moderation and voting systems help manage behaviour.

Reddit is now encouraging users to visit directly instead of arriving via search or AI summaries, positioning the platform as a human alternative to automated answers.

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Universities in Ireland urged to rethink assessments amid AI concerns

Face-to-face interviews and oral verification could become a routine part of third-level assessments under new recommendations aimed at addressing the improper use of AI. Institutions are being encouraged to redesign assessment methods to ensure student work is authentic.

The proposals are set out in new guidelines published by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) of Ireland, which regulates universities and other third-level institutions. The report argues that assessment systems must evolve to reflect the growing use of generative AI in education.

While encouraging institutions to embrace AI’s potential, the report stresses the need to ensure students are demonstrating genuine learning. Academics have raised concerns that AI-generated assignments are increasingly difficult to distinguish from original student work.

To address this, the report recommends redesigning assessments to prioritise student authorship and human judgement. Suggested measures include oral verification, process-based learning, and, where appropriate, a renewed reliance on written exams conducted without technology.

The authors also caution against relying on AI detection tools, arguing that integrity processes should be based on dialogue and evidence. They call for clearer policies, staff and student training, and safeguards around data use and equitable access to AI tools.

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