Meta’s WhatsApp has introduced a new AI feature called Writing Help, designed to assist users in editing, rewriting, and refining the tone of their messages. The tool can adjust grammar, improve phrasing, or reframe a message in a more professional, humorous, or encouraging style before it is sent.
The feature operates through Meta’s Private Processing technology, which ensures that messages remain encrypted and private instead of being visible to WhatsApp or Meta.
According to the company, Writing Help processes requests anonymously and cannot trace them back to the user. The function is optional, disabled by default, and only applies to the chosen message.
To activate the feature, users can tap a small pencil icon that appears while composing a message.
In a demonstration, WhatsApp showed how the tool could turn ‘Please don’t leave dirty socks on the sofa’ into more light-hearted alternatives, including ‘Breaking news: Socks found chilling on the couch’ or ‘Please don’t turn the sofa into a sock graveyard.’
By introducing Writing Help, WhatsApp aims to make communication more flexible and engaging while keeping user privacy intact. The company emphasises that no information is stored, and AI-generated suggestions only appear if users decide to enable the option.
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President Donald Trump has threatened to impose retaliatory tariffs on countries implementing digital taxes or regulations affecting American technology companies. His comments, made in a post on Truth Social, were interpreted as a warning to the European Union.
These measures aim to tackle illegal content, increase oversight of large online platforms, and ensure that major tech firms, such as Google, Amazon, Apple, and Meta, pay taxes in the countries where they generate revenue.
According to AP News, Trump’s administration previously argued that these taxes unfairly target US-based companies and considered tariffs on European goods in response.
The Guardian reports that Trump’s latest threat adds pressure on the UK and the EU, which have recently signed trade agreements with the US.
While the EU continues to enforce strict digital regulations and taxes, the UK has maintained its digital services tax, introduced in 2020, despite earlier criticism from US officials and a trade deal reached with the Trump administration.
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A Stanford University study reveals that generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, have led to a nearly 20 percent decline in employment for software developers aged 22 to 25 since late 2022. In contrast, older developers have seen little job loss and, in some cases, gains.
The research analysed anonymised ADP payroll data across millions of employees and thousands of firms.
The decline in junior roles stems from AI automating routine coding tasks, often the first entry point for new developers, while complex tasks favour experienced professionals.
Industry leaders reflect the shift. Amazon Web Services’ head called layoffs of junior engineers a misstep, arguing that these roles are essential for innovation.
Meanwhile, developer sentiment is mixed: over half believe AI codes better than humans, but 37 percent worry it threatens entry-level opportunities.
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AI, especially generative models, has become a staple in cybersecurity operations, extending its role from traditional machine learning tools to core functions within CyberOps.
Generative AI now supports forensics, incident investigation, log parsing, orchestration, vulnerability prioritisation and report writing. It accelerates workflows, enabling teams to ramp up detection and response and to concentrate human efforts on strategic tasks.
Experts highlight that it is not what CyberOps do that AI is remastering, but how they do it. AI scales routine tasks, like SOC level-1 and -2 operations, allowing analysts to shift focus from triage to investigation and threat modelling.
Junior staff benefit particularly from AI, which boosts accuracy and consistency. Senior analysts and CISOs also gain from AI’s capacity to amplify productivity while safeguarding oversight, a true force multiplier.
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Warnings have been issued by Google to some users after detecting a web traffic hijacking campaign that delivered malware through manipulated login portals.
According to the company’s Threat Intelligence Group, attackers compromised network edge devices to modify captive portals, the login pages often seen when joining public Wi-Fi or corporate networks.
Instead of leading to legitimate security updates, the altered portals redirected users to a fake page presenting an ‘Adobe Plugin’ update. The file, once installed, deployed malware known as CANONSTAGER, which enabled the installation of a backdoor called SOGU.SEC.
The software, named AdobePlugins.exe, was signed with a valid GlobalSign certificate linked to Chengdu Nuoxin Times Technology Co, Ltd. Google stated it is tracking multiple malware samples connected to the same certificate.
The company attributed the campaign to a group it tracks as UNC6384, also known by other names including Mustang Panda, Silk Typhoon, and TEMP.Hex.
Google said it first detected the campaign in March 2025 and sent alerts to affected Gmail and Workspace users. The operation reportedly targeted diplomats in Southeast Asia and other entities worldwide, suggesting a potential link to cyber espionage activities.
Google advised users to enable Enhanced Safe Browsing in Chrome, keep devices updated, and use two-step verification for stronger protection.
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Spotify is launching a new Messages feature, enabling users aged 16 and older in select markets to share music, podcasts, and audiobooks directly within the app. The update lets users chat one-on-one with friends and family to share and discuss favourite content.
Users can react with emojis and text, accept or reject message requests, and see suggested contacts based on past sharing, collaborative playlists, or Family and Duo plans. The feature complements existing social media sharing options rather than replacing them.
Artists, authors, and creators benefit as Messages encourages word-of-mouth discovery, helping new content reach wider audiences. Conversations are secured with encryption, and Spotify applies moderation tools and reporting features to maintain a safe environment.
Spotify plans to refine and expand the feature globally in the coming months, aiming to make connecting over music, podcasts, and audiobooks more seamless and engaging.
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Google Cloud is creating its own blockchain platform, the Google Cloud Universal Ledger (GCUL), targeting the financial sector. The network provides a neutral, compliant infrastructure for payment automation and digital asset management through a single API.
GCUL allows financial institutions to build Python-based smart contracts, with support for various use cases such as wholesale payments and asset tokenisation. Although called a Layer 1 network, its private, permissioned design raises debate over its status as a decentralised blockchain.
The company also revealed a series of AI-driven security enhancements at its Security Summit 2025.
These include an ‘agentic security operations centre’ for proactive threat detection, the Alert Investigation agent for automated analysis, and Model Armour to prevent prompt injection, jailbreaking, and data leaks.
Currently in a private testnet, GCUL was first announced in March in collaboration with the CME Group, which is piloting solutions on the platform. Google Cloud plans to reveal more details in the future as the project develops.
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AI tools like ChatGPT are becoming essential for researching cryptocurrencies before investing. The platform can simplify white papers, explain tokenomics, and summarise use cases to help investors make informed decisions.
Evaluating the team, partnerships, and security risks remains critical. ChatGPT can guide users in identifying potential scams such as rug pulls, pump-and-dump schemes, or phishing attacks.
It also helps assess regulatory compliance and whether projects have working products. Comparing coins with competitors further highlights strengths and weaknesses within categories like DeFi, NFTs, or Layer 1 blockchains.
Although ChatGPT cannot give real-time data or investment advice, it helps by suggesting research questions, summarising content, and organising insights efficiently. Investors should use it to complement traditional due diligence, not replace critical thinking or careful analysis.
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The National Association of Attorneys General has called on 13 AI firms, including OpenAI and Meta, to strengthen child protection measures. Authorities warned that AI chatbots have been exposing minors to sexually suggestive material, raising urgent safety concerns.
Growing use of AI tools among children has amplified worries. In the US, surveys show that over three-quarters of teenagers regularly interact with AI companions. The UK data indicates that half of online 8-15-year-olds have used generative AI in the past year.
Parents, schools, and children’s rights organisations are increasingly alarmed by potential risks such as grooming, bullying, and privacy breaches.
Meta faced scrutiny after leaked documents revealed its AI Assistants engaged in ‘flirty’ interactions with children, some as young as eight. The NAAG described the revelations as shocking and warned that other AI firms could pose similar threats.
Lawsuits against Google and Character.ai underscore the potential real-world consequences of sexualised AI interactions.
Officials insist that companies cannot justify policies that normalise sexualised behaviour with minors. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti warned that such practices are a ‘plague’ and urged innovation to avoid harming children.
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Greek authorities are enforcing stricter regulations on the crypto sector to strengthen oversight and align with European standards. The move targets money laundering and tax evasion, reflecting Athens’ intent to bring order to the industry.
Digital asset exchanges and wallet providers will face a rigorous licensing process. Applicants must submit a complete business dossier, disclose management and shareholder details, and pass extensive checks before being allowed to operate.
Non-compliant platforms risk being barred from the market.
Financial regulators will monitor crypto transactions closely, with powers to freeze suspicious digital assets and trace funds. Authorities aim to prevent illegal capital flows while boosting investor confidence through enhanced transparency.
Taxation rules for crypto are expected this fall, with capital gains taxes set at 15% for private investors and potentially higher for companies. Some crypto services may also be subject to 24% VAT, with final rates announced in the coming months.
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