Reddit cracks down after AI bot experiment exposed

Reddit is accelerating plans to verify the humanity of its users following revelations that AI bots infiltrated a popular debate forum to influence opinions. These bots crafted persuasive, personalised comments based on users’ post histories, without disclosing their non-human identity.

Researchers from the University of Zurich conducted an unauthorised four-month experiment on the r/changemyview subreddit, deploying AI agents posing as trauma survivors, political figures, and other sensitive personas.

The incident sparked outrage across the platform. Reddit’s Chief Legal Officer condemned the experiment as a violation of both legal and ethical standards, while CEO Steve Huffman stressed that the platform’s strength lies in genuine human exchange.

All accounts linked to the study have been banned, and Reddit has filed formal complaints with the university. To restore trust, Reddit will introduce third-party verification tools that confirm users are human, without collecting personal data.

While protecting anonymity remains a priority, the platform acknowledges it must evolve to meet new threats posed by increasingly sophisticated AI impersonators.

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Cypriots worry AI threatens artists and culture

A new Eurobarometer survey has revealed that a significant majority of Cypriots are worried about the impact of AI on the cultural sector and the livelihoods of artists. Eight in ten believe that generative AI poses a threat to employment in the arts, a figure higher than the EU average of 73 per cent.

Despite these concerns, only half of Cypriots say they can distinguish between AI-generated and human-made artworks. The survey also highlights deeper cultural challenges in Cyprus. Only 23 per cent of respondents believe artists are paid fairly, compared to 51 per cent across the EU.

When asked about EU priorities in cultural cooperation, Cypriots pointed to protecting cultural heritage, fair pay for artists, reskilling cultural workers, improving access to the arts, and boosting funding for creative sectors.

Cypriots overwhelmingly value culture’s role in Europe’s future, with 91 per cent endorsing its importance. However, just 63 per cent believe artists in Cyprus enjoy freedom from government censorship, and only 59 per cent feel protected from other forms of suppression, both figures well below EU averages.

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FTC says Amazon misused legal privilege to dodge scrutiny

Federal regulators have accused Amazon of deliberately concealing incriminating evidence in an ongoing antitrust case by abusing privilege claims. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said Amazon wrongly withheld nearly 70,000 documents, withdrawing 92% of its claims after a judge forced a re-review.

The FTC claims Amazon marked non-legal documents as privileged to keep them from scrutiny. Internal emails suggest staff were told to mislabel communications by including legal teams unnecessarily.

One email reportedly called former CEO Jeff Bezos the ‘chief dark arts officer,’ referring to questionable Prime subscription tactics.

The documents revealed issues such as widespread involuntary Prime sign-ups and efforts to manipulate search results in favour of Amazon’s products. Regulators said these practices show Amazon intended to hide evidence rather than make honest errors.

The FTC is now seeking a 90-day extension for discovery and wants Amazon to cover the additional legal costs. It claims the delay and concealment gave Amazon an unfair strategic advantage instead of allowing a level playing field.

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Gemini Nano boosts scam detection on Chrome

Google has released a new report outlining how it is using AI to better protect users from online scams across its platforms.

The company says AI is now actively fighting scams in Chrome, Search and Android, with new tools able to detect and neutralise threats more effectively than before.

At the heart of these efforts is Gemini Nano, Google’s on-device AI model, which has been integrated into Chrome to help identify phishing and fraudulent websites.

The report claims the upgraded systems can now detect 20 times more harmful websites, many of which aim to deceive users by creating a false sense of urgency or offering fake promotions. These scams often involve phishing, cryptocurrency fraud, clone websites and misleading subscriptions.

Search has also seen major improvements. Google’s AI-powered classifiers are now better at spotting scam-related content before users encounter it. For example, the company says it has reduced scams involving fake airline customer service agents by over 80 per cent, thanks to its enhanced detection tools.

Meanwhile, Android users are beginning to see stronger safeguards as well. Chrome on Android now warns users about suspicious website notifications, offering the choice to unsubscribe or review them safely.

Google has confirmed plans to extend these protections even further in the coming months, aiming to cover a broader range of online threats.

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Indian stock exchanges curb foreign access amid cybersecurity concerns

India’s two largest stock exchanges, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and BSE Ltd, have temporarily restricted overseas access to their websites amid rising concerns over cyber threats. The move does not affect foreign investors’ ability to trade on Indian markets.

Sources familiar with the matter confirmed the decision followed a joint meeting between the exchanges, although no recent direct attack has been specified.

Despite the restrictions, market operations remain fully functional, with officials emphasising that the measures are purely preventive.

The precautionary step comes during heightened regional tensions between India and Pakistan, though no link to the geopolitical situation has been confirmed. The NSE has yet to comment publicly on the situation.

A BSE spokesperson noted that the exchanges are monitoring cyber risks both domestically and internationally and that website access is now granted selectively to protect users and infrastructure.

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LockBit ransomware Bitcoin addresses exposed

Nearly 60,000 Bitcoin addresses linked to LockBit’s ransomware operations have been exposed following a major breach of the group’s dark web affiliate panel.

The leak, which included a MySQL database dump, was shared publicly online and could assist blockchain analysts in tracing LockBit’s financial activity instead of leaving such transactions untracked.

Despite the scale of the breach, no private keys were leaked. A LockBit representative reportedly confirmed the incident in a message, stating that no sensitive access data was compromised.

However, the exposed database included 20 tables, such as one labelled ‘builds’ that contained details about ransomware created by affiliates and their targeted companies.

Another table, ‘chats,’ revealed over 4,400 messages from negotiations between victims and LockBit operators, offering a rare glimpse into the inner workings of ransomware extortion tactics.

Analysts believe the hack may be connected to a separate breach of the Everest ransomware site, as both featured identical messages, hinting at a possible link.

The incident has again underscored the central role of cryptocurrency in the ransomware economy. Each victim is typically given a unique address for payments, making tracking difficult.

Instead of remaining hidden, these addresses now give law enforcement and blockchain experts a chance to trace payments and potentially link them to previously unidentified actors.

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UK police struggle to contain online misinformation

Sir Andy Cooke has urged that Ofcom be granted stronger powers to swiftly remove harmful online posts, particularly misinformation linked to public unrest. He criticised delays in tackling false content during the 2024 riots, which allowed damaging narratives to spread unchecked.

The UK Online Safety Act, though recently passed, does not permit Ofcom to delete individual posts. Ofcom acknowledged the connection between online posts and the disorder but stated it is responsible for overseeing platforms’ safety systems, not moderating content directly.

Critics argue this leaves a gap in quickly stopping harmful material from spreading. The regulator has faced scrutiny for its perceived lack of action during last summer’s violence. Over 30 people have already been arrested for riot-related posts, with some receiving prison sentences.

Police forces were found to have limited capability to counter online misinformation, according to a new report. Sir Andy stressed the need for improved policing strategies and called for legal changes to deter inflammatory online behaviour.

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WhatsApp scam sees fraudsters impersonate loved ones

Parents and friends are being targeted by fraudsters using WhatsApp and text messages to impersonate loved ones in urgent need. Criminals often claim the sender has lost their phone and cannot access their bank account, pressing recipients to transfer money swiftly.

The scams are growing more convincing, with AI voice impersonation now used to create fake voice notes. Scammers may pose as children, friends, or even parents, and typically request payments to unfamiliar accounts.

They discourage verification and apply pressure, asking for help with rent, phone replacements, or emergency bills. Santander reports that fraudsters impersonating sons are the most successful, followed by daughters and mothers.

Experts advise contacting the supposed sender directly and establishing a family password to confirm identities in future. Victims who transfer money should alert their bank immediately, report the scam through messaging apps or to Action Fraud.

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Technological inventions blurring the line between reality and fiction

The rapid progress of AI over the past few years has unsettled the global population, reaching a point where it is extremely difficult to say with certainty whether certain content has been created by AI or not.

We are confronted with this phenomenon through photos, video and audio recordings that can easily confuse us and force us to question our perception of reality.

Digital twins are being used by scammers in the crypto space to impersonate influencers and execute fraudulent schemes.

And while the public often focuses on deepfakes, at the same time we are witnessing inventions and patents emerging around the world that deserve admiration, but also spark important reflection: are we nearing, or have we already crossed, the ethical red line?

For these and many other reasons, in a world where the visual and functional differences between science fiction and reality have almost disappeared, the latest inventions come as a shock.

We are now at a point where we are facing technologies that force us to redefine what we mean by the word ‘reality’.

Neuralink: Crossing the boundary between brain and machine

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare neurological disease caused by damage and degeneration of motor neurons—nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. This damage disrupts the transmission of nerve impulses to muscles via peripheral nerves, leading to a progressive loss of muscle function.

However, the Neuralink chip, developed by Elon Musk’s company, has helped one patient type with their mind and speak using their voice. This breakthrough opens the door to a new form of communication where thoughts become direct interactions.

Liquid robot from South Korea

Scenes from sci-fi films are becoming reality, and in this case (thankfully), a liquid robot has a noble purpose—to assist in rescue missions and be applied in medicine.

Currently in the early prototype stage, it has been demonstrated in labs through a collaboration between MIT and Korean research institutes.

ULS exoskeleton as support for elderly care

Healthcare workers and caregivers in China have had their work greatly simplified thanks to the ULS Robotics exoskeleton, weighing only five kilograms but enabling users to lift up to 30 kilograms.

This represents a leap forward in caring for people with limited mobility, while also increasing safety and efficiency. Commercial prototypes have been tested in hospitals and industrial environments.

https://twitter.com/ulsrobotics/status/1317426742168940545

Agrorobots: Autonomous crop spraying

Another example from China that has been in use for several years. Robots equipped with AI perform precise crop spraying. The system analyses pests and targets them without the need for human presence, reducing potential health risks.

The application has become standardised, with expectations for further expansion and improvement in the near future.

The stretchable battery of the future

Researchers in Sweden have developed a flexible battery that can double in length without losing energy, making it ideal for wearable technologies.

Although not yet commercially available, it has been covered in scientific journals. The aim is for it to become a key component in bendable devices, smart clothing and medical implants.

Volonaut Airbike: A sci-fi vehicle takes off

When it comes to innovation, the Volonaut Airbike hits the mark perfectly. Designed to resemble a single-seat speeder bike from Star Wars, it represents a giant leap toward personal air travel.

Functional prototypes exist, but testing remains limited due to high production costs and regulatory hurdles related to traffic laws. Nevertheless, the Polish company behind it remains committed to this idea, and it will be exciting to follow its progress.

NEO robot: The humanoid household assistant

A Norwegian company has been developing a humanoid robot capable of performing household tasks, including gardening chores like collecting and bagging leaves or grass.

These are among the first serious steps toward domestic humanoid assistants. Currently functioning in demo mode, the robot has received backing from OpenAI.

Lenovo Yoga Solar: The laptop that loves sunlight

If you find yourself without a charger but with access to direct sunlight, this laptop will do everything it can to keep you powered. Using solar energy, 20 minutes of charging in sunlight provides around one hour of video playback.

Perfect for ecologists and digital nomads. Although not yet commercially available, it has been showcased at several major tech expos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px1iEW600Pk

What comes next: The need for smart regulation

As technology races ahead, regulation must catch up. From neurotech to autonomous robots, each innovation raises new questions about privacy, accountability, and ethics.

Governments and tech developers alike must collaborate to ensure that these inventions remain tools for good, not risks to society.

So, what is real and what is generated?

This question will only become harder to answer as time goes on. But on the other hand, if the technological revolution continues to head in a useful and positive direction, perhaps there is little to fear.

The true dilemma in this era of rapid innovation may not be about the tools themselves, but about the fundamental question: Is technology shaping us, or do we still shape it?

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Lost items now easier to recover with AI

AI is supporting lost-and-found services across Japan, helping reunite thousands with misplaced possessions. Tokyo-based Find Inc has developed a platform now used by around 30 organisations at 2,300 sites, including train stations, airports and police departments.

The system analyses photos and descriptions of lost items and compares them with user-submitted information through apps like Line. Keio Corp and Yurikamome Inc report significant improvements in return rates since adopting the AI-powered tool.

Users can search for items in Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean, with the AI suggesting possible matches even from vague descriptions. The platform has handled over 1.5 million lost items, returning nearly half a million to their owners.

Previously reliant on spreadsheets and manual searches, many operators now benefit from faster identification and fewer inquiries. Tokyo and Oita police departments, along with commercial hubs like Hakata Station, have embraced the technology.

As adoption spreads, Find Inc aims to simplify the process of recovering lost items for even more people.

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