Content Policy Archives | Page 116 of 234 | Digital Watch Observatory

ChatGPT faces scrutiny as OpenAI updates protections after teen suicide case

OpenAI has announced new safety measures for its popular chatbot following a lawsuit filed by the parents of a 16-year-old boy who died by suicide after relying on ChatGPT for guidance.

The parents allege the chatbot isolated their son and contributed to his death earlier in the year.

The company said it will improve ChatGPT’s ability to detect signs of mental distress, including indirect expressions such as users mentioning sleep deprivation or feelings of invincibility.

It will also strengthen safeguards around suicide-related conversations, which OpenAI admitted can break down in prolonged chats. Planned updates include parental controls, access to usage details, and clickable links to local emergency services.

OpenAI stressed that its safeguards work best during short interactions, acknowledging weaknesses in longer exchanges. It also said it is considering building a network of licensed professionals that users could access through ChatGPT.

The company added that content filtering errors, where serious risks are underestimated, will also be addressed.

The lawsuit comes amid wider scrutiny of AI tools by regulators and mental health experts. Attorneys general from more than 40 US states recently warned AI companies of their duty to protect children from harmful or inappropriate chatbot interactions.

Critics argue that reliance on chatbots for support instead of professional care poses growing risks as usage expands globally.

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Cyberattack disrupts Nevada government systems

The State of Nevada reported a cyberattack affecting several state government systems, with recovery efforts underway. Some websites and phone lines may be slow or offline while officials restore operations.

Governor Joe Lombardo’s office stated there is no evidence that personal information has been compromised, emphasising that the issue is limited to state systems. The incident is under investigation by both state and federal authorities, although technical details have not been released.

Several agencies, including the Department of Motor Vehicles, have been affected, prompting temporary office closures until normal operations can resume. Emergency services, including 911, continue to operate without disruption.

Officials prioritise system validation and safe restoration to prevent further disruption to state services.

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Publishers set to earn from Comet Plus, Perplexity’s new initiative

Perplexity has announced Comet Plus, a new service that will pay premium publishers to provide high-quality news content as an alternative to clickbait. The company has not disclosed its roster of partners or payment structure, though reports suggest a pool of $42.5 million.

Publishers have long criticised AI services for exploiting their work without compensation. Perplexity, backed by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, said Comet Plus will create a fairer system and reward journalists for producing trusted content in the era of AI.

The platform introduces a revenue model based on three streams: human visits, search citations, and agent actions. Perplexity argues this approach better reflects how people consume information today, whether by browsing manually, seeking AI-generated answers, or using AI agents.

The company stated that the initiative aims to rebuild trust between readers and publishers, while ensuring that journalism thrives in a changing digital economy. The initial group of publishing partners will be revealed later.

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Netflix limits AI use in productions with new rules

Netflix has issued detailed guidance for production companies on the approved use of generative AI. The guidelines allow AI tools for early ideation tasks such as moodboards or reference images, but stricter oversight applies beyond that stage.

The company outlined five guiding principles. These include ensuring generated content does not replicate copyrighted works, maintaining security of inputs, avoiding use of AI in final deliverables, and prohibiting storage or reuse of production data by AI tools.

Enterprises or vendors working on Netflix content must pass the platform’s AI compliance checks at every stage.

Netflix has already used AI to reduce VFX costs on projects like The Eternaut, but has moved to formalise boundaries around how and when the technology is applied.

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Malicious apps on Google Play infected 19 million users with banking trojan

Security researchers from Zscaler’s ThreatLabz team uncovered 77 malicious Android applications on the Google Play Store, collectively downloaded over 19 million times, that distributed the Anatsa banking trojan, TeaBot, and other malware families.

Anatsa, active since at least 2020, has evolved to target over 831 banking, fintech and cryptocurrency apps globally, including platforms in Germany and South Korea. These campaigns now use direct payload installation with encrypted runtime strings and device checks to evade detection.

Deploying as decoy tools, often document readers, the apps triggered a silent download of malicious code after installation. The Trojan automatically gained accessibility permissions to display overlays, capture credentials, log keystrokes, and intercept messages. Additional malware such as Joker, its variant Harly, and adware were also detected.

Following disclosure, Google removed the identified apps from the Play Store. Users are advised to enable Google Play Protect, review app permissions carefully, limit downloads to trusted developers, and consider using antivirus tools to stay protected.

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Travellers claim ChatGPT helps cut flight costs by hundreds of pounds

ChatGPT is increasingly used as a travel assistant, with some travellers claiming it can save hundreds of pounds on flights. Finance influencer Casper Opala shares cost-saving tips online and said the AI tool helped him secure a flight for £70 that initially cost more than £700.

Opala shared a series of prompts that allow ChatGPT to identify hidden routes, budget airlines not listed on major platforms, and potential savings through alternative airports or separate bookings. He also suggested using the tool to monitor prices for several days or compare one-way fares with return tickets.

While many money-saving tricks have existed for years, ChatGPT condenses the process, collecting results in seconds. Opala says this efficiency is a strong starting point for cheaper travel deals.

Experts, however, warn that ChatGPT is not connected to live flight booking systems. TravelBook’s Laura Pomer noted that the AI can sometimes present inaccurate or outdated fares, meaning users should always verify results before booking.

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Vietnam accelerates modernization of foreign affairs through technology and AI

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam spearheads an extensive digital transformation initiative in line with the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW issued in December 2024. This resolution highlights the necessity of advancements in science, technology, and national digital transformation.

Under the guidance of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son, the Ministry is committed to modernising its operations and improving efficiency, reflecting Vietnam’s broader digital evolution strategy across all sectors.

Key implementations of this transformation include the creation of three major digital platforms: an electronic information portal providing access to foreign policies and online public services, an online document management system for internal digitalisation, and an integrated data-sharing platform for connectivity and multi-dimensional data exchange.

The Ministry has digitised 100% of its administrative procedures, linking them to a national-level system, showcasing a significant stride towards administrative reform and efficiency. Additionally, the Ministry has fully adopted social media channels, including Facebook and Twitter, indicating its efforts to enhance foreign information dissemination and public engagement.

A central component of this initiative is the ‘Digital Literacy for All’ movement, inspired by President Ho Chi Minh’s historic ‘Popular Education’ campaign. This movement focuses on equipping diplomatic personnel with essential digital skills, transforming them into proficient ‘digital civil servants’ and ‘digital ambassadors.’ The Ministry aims to enhance its diplomatic functions in today’s globally connected environment by advancing its ability to navigate and utilise modern technologies.

The Ministry plans to develop its digital infrastructure further, strengthen data management, and integrate AI for strategic planning and predictive analysis.

Establishing a digital data warehouse for foreign information and enhancing human resources by nurturing technology experts within the diplomatic sector are also on the agenda. These actions reflect a strong commitment to fostering a professional and globally adept diplomatic industry, poised to safeguard national interests and thrive in the digital age.

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YouTube under fire for AI video edits without creator consent

Anger grows as YouTube secretly alters some uploaded videos using machine learning. The company admitted that it had been experimenting with automated edits, which sharpen images, smooth skin, and enhance clarity, without notifying creators.

Although tools like ChatGPT or Gemini did not generate these changes, they still relied on AI.

The issue has sparked concern among creators, who argue that the lack of consent undermines trust.

YouTuber Rhett Shull publicly criticised the platform, prompting YouTube liaison Rene Ritchie to clarify that the edits were simply efforts to ‘unblur and denoise’ footage, similar to smartphone processing.

However, creators emphasise that the difference lies in transparency, since phone users know when enhancements are applied, whereas YouTube users were unaware.

Consent remains central to debates around AI adoption, especially as regulation lags and governments push companies to expand their use of the technology.

Critics warn that even minor, automatic edits can treat user videos as training material without permission, raising broader concerns about control and ownership on digital platforms.

YouTube has not confirmed whether the experiment will expand or when it might end.

For now, viewers noticing oddly upscaled Shorts may be seeing the outcome of these hidden edits, which have only fuelled anger about how AI is being introduced into creative spaces.

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AI controversy surrounds Will Smith’s comeback shows

Footage from Will Smith’s comeback tour has sparked claims that AI was used to alter shots of the crowd. Viewers noticed faces appearing blurred or distorted, along with extra fingers and oddly shaped hands in several clips.

Some accused Smith of boosting audience shots with AI, while others pointed to YouTube, which has been reported to apply AI upscaling without creators’ knowledge.

Guitarist and YouTuber Rhett Shull recently suggested the platform had altered his videos, raising concerns that artists might be wrongly accused of using deepfakes.

The controversy comes as the boundary between reality and fabrication grows increasingly uncertain. AI has been reshaping how audiences perceive authenticity, from fake bands to fabricated images of music legends.

Singer SZA is among the artists criticising the technology, highlighting its heavy energy use and potential to undermine creativity.

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AI chatbots found unreliable in suicide-related responses, according to a new study

A new study by the RAND Corporation has raised concerns about the ability of AI chatbots to answer questions related to suicide and self-harm safely.

Researchers tested ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini with 30 different suicide-related questions, repeating each one 100 times. Clinicians assessed the queries on a scale from low to high risk, ranging from general information-seeking to dangerous requests about methods of self-harm.

The study revealed that ChatGPT and Claude were more reliable at handling low-risk and high-risk questions, avoiding harmful instructions in dangerous scenarios. Gemini, however, produced more variable results.

While all three ΑΙ chatbots sometimes responded appropriately to medium-risk questions, such as offering supportive resources, they often failed to respond altogether, leaving potentially vulnerable users without guidance.

Experts warn that millions of people now use large language models as conversational partners instead of trained professionals, which raises serious risks when the subject matter involves mental health. Instances have already been reported where AI appeared to encourage self-harm or generate suicide notes.

The RAND team stressed that safeguards are urgently needed to prevent such tools from producing harmful content in response to sensitive queries.

The study also noted troubling inconsistencies. ChatGPT and Claude occasionally gave inappropriate details when asked about hazardous methods, while Gemini refused even basic factual queries about suicide statistics.

Researchers further observed that ChatGPT showed reluctance to recommend therapeutic resources, often avoiding direct mention of safe support channels.

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