A Moscow court has fined TikTok three million roubles (around $28,930) for failing to meet Russian legal requirements. The court’s press service confirmed the verdict but did not elaborate on the specific violation.
The social media platform, owned by ByteDance, has been facing increasing scrutiny worldwide. Allegations of non-compliance with legal frameworks and security concerns have made headlines in multiple countries.
TikTok encountered further setbacks recently, including a year-long ban in Albania last December. Canadian authorities also ordered the company to halt operations, citing national security threats.
The fine in Russia reflects the mounting regulatory challenges for TikTok as it navigates stricter oversight in various regions.
In Barcelona, a pink-haired 25-year-old named Aitana captivates social media with her stunning images and relatable personality. But Aitana isn’t a real person—she’s an AI model created by The Clueless Agency. Launched during a challenging period for the agency, Aitana was designed as a solution to the unpredictability of working with human influencers. The virtual model has proven successful, earning up to €10,000 monthly by featuring in advertisements and modelling campaigns.
Aitana has already amassed over 343,000 Instagram followers, with some celebrities unknowingly messaging her for dates. Her creators, Rubén Cruz and Diana Núñez, maintain her appeal by crafting a detailed “life,” including fictional trips and hobbies, to connect with her audience. Unlike traditional models, Aitana has a defined personality, presented as a fitness enthusiast with a determined yet caring demeanour. This strategic design, rooted in current trends, has made her a relatable and marketable figure.
The success of Aitana has sparked a new wave of AI influencers. The Clueless Agency has developed additional virtual models, including a more introverted character named Maia. Brands increasingly seek these customisable AI creations for their campaigns, citing cost efficiency and the elimination of human unpredictability. However, critics warn that the hypersexualised and digitally perfected imagery promoted by such models may negatively influence societal beauty standards and young audiences.
Despite these concerns, Aitana represents a broader shift in advertising and social media. By democratising access to influencer marketing, AI models like her offer new opportunities for smaller businesses while challenging traditional notions of authenticity and influence in the digital age.
As concerns grow over the impact of smartphones on children, several European countries are implementing or debating restrictions on their use in schools. France, for example, has prohibited phones in primary and secondary schools since 2018 and recently extended the policy to include ‘digital breaks’ at some institutions. Similarly, the Netherlands and Hungary have adopted bans, with exceptions for educational purposes or special needs, while Italy, Greece, and Latvia have also imposed restrictions.
The debate is fueled by studies showing that smartphones can distract students, though some argue they can also be useful for learning. A 2023 UNESCO report recommended limiting phones in schools to support education, with more than 60 countries now following similar measures. However, enforcement remains a challenge, as some reports suggest that many students still find ways to use their devices despite the bans.
Experts remain divided on the issue. While some highlight the risks of distraction and mental health impacts, others emphasise the need for balance. ‘Banning phones can be beneficial, but we must ensure children have adequate alternatives for education and communication,’ said Ben Carter, a professor of medical statistics at King’s College London.
The trend reflects broader concerns about screen time among children, with countries like Sweden and Luxembourg calling for clearer rules to promote healthier digital habits. While opinions differ, the growing movement underscores a collective effort to create focused, engaging, and healthier learning environments.
President-elect Donald Trump has called on the US Supreme Court to postpone implementing a law that would ban TikTok or force its sale, arguing for time to seek a political resolution after taking office. The court will hear arguments on the case on 10 January, ahead of a 19 January deadline for TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the app or face a US ban.
The move marks a stark shift for Trump, who previously sought to block TikTok in 2020 over national security concerns tied to its Chinese ownership. Trump’s legal team emphasised that his request does not take a stance on the law’s merits but seeks to allow his incoming administration to explore alternatives. Trump has expressed a newfound appreciation for TikTok, citing its role in boosting his campaign visibility.
TikTok, with over 170 million US users, continues to challenge the legislation, asserting that its data and operations affecting US users are fully managed within the country. However, national security concerns persist, with the Justice Department and a coalition of attorneys general urging the Supreme Court to uphold the divest-or-ban mandate. The case highlights the growing debate between free speech advocates and national security interests in regulating digital platforms.
New research by The Guardian reveals that ChatGPT Search, OpenAI’s recently launched AI-powered search tool, can be misled into generating false or overly positive summaries. By embedding hidden text in web pages, researchers demonstrated that the AI could ignore negative reviews or even produce malicious code.
The feature, designed to streamline browsing by summarising content such as product reviews, is susceptible to hidden text attacks—a well-known vulnerability in large language models. While this issue has been studied before, this marks the first time such manipulation has been proven on a live AI search tool.
OpenAI did not comment on this specific case but stated it employs measures to block malicious websites and is working to improve its defences. Experts note that competitors like Google, with more experience in search technology, have developed stronger safeguards against similar threats.
Google is introducing major updates to its Maps Timeline feature, shifting towards enhanced privacy by storing location history locally on users’ devices. This change means that any unbacked location history data will be automatically deleted after three months unless users take action to save it. Notifications regarding the update will provide a six-month window to back up data, urging users to preserve personal memories or valuable travel records before permanent deletion.
To save Timeline data, users can utilise Google’s export tools on their devices or through the web. This process allows users to maintain access to their past location history while ensuring it remains private and under their control. However, some users have reported unexpected deletions, emphasising the importance of regular backups to avoid data loss.
These updates are part of the US-based tech giant’s broader efforts to address privacy concerns by limiting the storage of sensitive data on its servers. While this move enhances data security, users are encouraged to take proactive steps to back up important information, explore privacy features like incognito mode, and consider additional tools such as VPNs to protect their online activity.
Vietnam’s new internet law, known as ‘Decree 147,’ came into effect Wednesday, requiring platforms like Facebook and TikTok to verify user identities and share data with authorities upon request. Critics view the move as a crackdown on freedom of expression, with activists warning it will stifle dissent and blur the lines between legal and illegal online activity. Under the rules, tech companies must store verified information alongside users’ names and dates of birth and remove government-designated “illegal” content within 24 hours.
The decree also impacts the booming social commerce sector by allowing only verified accounts to livestream. Additionally, it imposes restrictions on gaming for minors, limiting sessions to one hour and a maximum of 180 minutes daily. Vietnam, with over 65 million Facebook users and a growing gaming population, may see significant disruptions in online behaviour and businesses.
Critics liken the law to China’s tight internet controls. Activists and content creators have expressed fear of persecution, citing recent examples like the 12-year prison sentence for a YouTuber critical of the government. Despite the sweeping measures, some local businesses and gamers remain sceptical about enforcement, suggesting a wait-and-see approach to the decree’s real-world impact.
Bluesky has seen explosive growth in recent months, surpassing 25 million users. The platform, which promotes decentralisation and user control, gained attention during the US elections and after X’s brief ban in Brazil. Bluesky has become an appealing alternative for those disenchanted with traditional platforms like Meta and X, offering curated features and a community-focused experience.
Rapid growth, however, has introduced significant challenges. Bots and AI-driven accounts have flooded the site, spreading misinformation and cluttering user interactions. The platform’s small team has worked swiftly to combat these issues, increasing its moderation capacity and introducing new tools to tackle impersonation and spam. Despite these efforts, the fight against AI bots and disinformation continues to grow more complex.
Bluesky’s commitment to decentralisation and user control has attracted users frustrated with larger platforms’ power dynamics. Experts caution, however, that the platform faces hurdles in maintaining its integrity while scaling its operations. Political and social fragmentation in online spaces could also limit Bluesky’s growth compared to visual-heavy platforms like TikTok and Instagram, which dominate younger audiences.
As the platform navigates its challenges, its future remains uncertain. Balancing growth, moderation, and user satisfaction will be critical to establishing Bluesky as a sustainable alternative in the competitive social media landscape.
Google contractors improving the Gemini AI model have been tasked with comparing its responses against those of Anthropic’s Claude, according to internal documents reviewed by TechCrunch. The evaluation process involves scoring responses on criteria such as truthfulness and verbosity, with contractors given up to 30 minutes per prompt to determine which model performs better. Notably, some outputs identify themselves as Claude, sparking questions about Google’s use of its competitor’s model.
Claude’s responses, known for emphasising safety, have sometimes refused to answer prompts deemed unsafe, unlike Gemini, which has faced criticism for safety violations. One such instance involved Gemini generating responses flagged for inappropriate content. Despite Google’s significant investment in Anthropic, Claude’s terms of service prohibit its use to train or build competing AI models without prior approval.
A spokesperson for Google DeepMind stated that while the company compares model outputs for evaluation purposes, it does not train Gemini using Anthropic models. Anthropic, however, declined to comment on whether Google had obtained permission to use Claude for these tests. Recent revelations also highlight contractor concerns over Gemini producing potentially inaccurate information on sensitive topics, including healthcare.
Greek authorities have made their first-ever cryptocurrency seizure, confiscating 273,000 USDT (Tether) as part of a criminal investigation. The operation, conducted in December, was carried out under the supervision of the Greek European Public Prosecutor’s Office and involved collaboration with various law enforcement departments, including the Digital Evidence Examination Department.
The seizure, which is part of the ongoing ‘Admiral’ operation, highlights the growing challenges law enforcement faces in dealing with advanced technologies like blockchain and cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrencies, known for their anonymity and security features, are often used in criminal activities such as fraud and money laundering. Experts stress the need for precision and expertise in handling digital assets, as mistakes can lead to irreversible losses.
Crypto-related scams are becoming more common in Greece, with many victims falling prey to fraudulent schemes. As cryptocurrencies gain popularity, particularly with the rise of Bitcoin and NFTs, the lack of understanding among the public increases the risk of scams. Experts warn that technological advances in AI are making these scams harder to detect, even for experienced investors.
In addition to combating fraud, authorities are also focusing on the management of seized cryptocurrencies, with plans to convert them into funds for the state, similar to practices in other European countries.
