Digital identities

Bluesky teams up with IWF to tackle harmful content

Bluesky, the rapidly growing decentralised social media platform, has partnered with the UK-based Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) to combat the spread of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). As part of the collaboration, Bluesky will gain access to the IWF’s tools, which include a list of websites containing CSAM and a catalogue of digital fingerprints, or ‘hashes,’ that identify abusive images. This partnership aims to reduce the risk of users encountering illegal content while helping to keep the platform safe from such material.

Bluesky’s head of trust and safety, Aaron Rodericks, welcomed the partnership as a significant step in protecting users from harmful content. With the platform’s rapid growth—reaching over 30 million users by the end of last month—the move comes at a crucial time. In November, Bluesky announced plans to expand its moderation team to address the rise in harmful material following the influx of new users.

The partnership also highlights the growing concern over online child sexual abuse material. The IWF reported record levels of harmful content last year, with over 291,000 web pages removed from the internet. The foundation’s CEO, Derek Ray-Hill, stressed the urgency of tackling the crisis, calling for a collective effort from governments, tech companies, and society.

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Australia slaps A$1 million fine on Telegram

Australia’s eSafety Commission has fined messaging platform Telegram A$1 million ($640,000) for failing to respond promptly to questions regarding measures it took to prevent child abuse and extremist content. The Commission had asked social media platforms, including Telegram, to provide details on their efforts to combat harmful content. Telegram missed the May 2024 deadline, submitting its response in October, which led to the fine.

eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant emphasised the importance of timely transparency and adherence to Australian law. Telegram, however, disagreed with the penalty, stating that it had fully responded to the questions, and plans to appeal the fine, which it claims was solely due to the delay in response time.

The fine comes amid increasing global scrutiny of Telegram, with growing concerns over its use by extremists. Australia’s spy agency recently noted that a significant portion of counter-terrorism cases involved youth, highlighting the increasing risk posed by online extremist content. If Telegram does not comply with the penalty, the eSafety Commission could pursue further legal action.

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Content creators fear financial risks amid TikTok ban talks

For many creators, TikTok has become more than just a platform for viral trends—it’s their livelihood. Beauty content creator Leila Nikea left her job as a make-up artist three years ago to focus solely on TikTok, tripling her income and even buying her first home.

Yet, uncertainty surrounding TikTok’s future has left her anxious, especially after the recent threat of a US ban over national security concerns. Although the ban was briefly implemented and then postponed, ongoing scrutiny has made creators like Leila fear for their financial stability.

Musicians Howard and George, known as The Whiskey Brothers, share similar concerns. After nearly two decades performing as a wedding band, TikTok finally gave them a platform to reach new audiences with their original music.

Their growing following led to their first official gig under their new name. However, the prospect of future bans has cast a shadow over their plans, making them question the long-term sustainability of their careers on TikTok.

Veteran tech influencer Safwan Ahmedmia, better known as SuperSaf, has already faced the consequences of a TikTok ban when India blocked the app in 2020, costing him thousands of followers. Now, he spreads his content across multiple platforms, advising fellow creators to do the same.

As debates over TikTok’s data privacy and security continue worldwide, creators are increasingly aware of the fragility of their digital careers. While many remain committed to their passions, the platform’s instability serves as a stark reminder of the risks tied to relying on a single app for income.

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Sanas raises millions to transform call centre communication

AI start-up Sanas has raised $65 million in a new funding round, valuing the company at over $500 million. The firm, founded in 2020, uses artificial intelligence to modify call centre workers’ accents in real time, aiming to reduce discrimination and improve communication. Its software preserves the speaker’s emotions and identity while adjusting phonetic patterns instantly.

The company was inspired by a call centre worker’s struggle with accent bias, leading its founders to develop a solution that enhances clarity without replacing human connection. Despite concerns that such technology may homogenise voices rather than promote acceptance of diverse accents, Sanas insists its mission is to break barriers and reduce discrimination.

With an annual revenue of $21 million and a growing client base across healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing, Sanas is rapidly expanding. The company plans to develop new AI-driven speech technologies, increase its global presence, and open an office in the Philippines, a major hub for call centres.

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AI’s rapid rise sparks innovation and concern

AI has transformed everyday life, powering everything from social media recommendations to medical breakthroughs. As major tech companies and governments compete to lead in AI development, concerns about ethics, bias, and environmental impact are growing.

AI systems, while capable of learning and processing vast amounts of data, lack human reasoning and empathy. Generative AI, which creates text, images, and music, has raised questions about misinformation, copyright issues, and job displacement.

AI’s influence is particularly evident in the workplace, education, and creative industries. Some experts fear it could worsen financial inequality, with automation threatening millions of jobs.

Writers, musicians, and artists have criticised AI developers for using their work without consent. Meanwhile, AI-generated misinformation has caused controversy, with major companies halting or revising their AI features after errors.

The technology also presents security risks, with deepfakes and algorithmic biases prompting urgent discussions about regulation.

Governments worldwide are introducing policies to manage AI’s risks while encouraging innovation. The European Union has imposed strict controls on AI in sensitive sectors with the AI Act, while China enforces rules ensuring compliance with censorship laws.

The United Kingdom and the United States have formed AI Safety Institutes to evaluate risks, though concerns remain over AI’s environmental impact. The rise of large data centres, which consume vast amounts of energy and water, has sparked debates about sustainability.

Despite these challenges, AI continues to advance, shaping the future in ways that are still unfolding.

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New app replaces paper hospital passports for better accessibility

A new app designed by patients is replacing paper hospital passports to make hospital visits more convenient. Currently in use at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, UK, the app stores key medical details, including allergies, medications, phobias, and emergency contacts, allowing staff to access critical information quickly.

Jessica, who helped develop the app, highlighted its ease of use, saying it eliminates the need to carry a booklet and makes sharing information with medical staff much simpler.

With nearly 700 users already, there are plans to expand the app to other hospitals in south-west England, and NHS England has expressed interest in its wider rollout.

Consultant Saoirse Read noted that digitalisation ensures staff can still access patient details even if their phone is left at home. The app has been particularly beneficial for neurodivergent patients, helping staff tailor care to individual needs.

By understanding factors such as pain responses and phobias, hospital teams can create personalised care plans, making the experience less stressful for patients.

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Meta announces LlamaCon as it accelerates AI push

Meta has unveiled plans to host its first-ever developer conference dedicated to generative AI, called LlamaCon. Scheduled for April 29, the event will focus on Meta’s open-source AI efforts, particularly its Llama models.

The company aims to share updates that will help developers build new AI-powered applications. Additional details are expected in the coming weeks, with Meta’s broader annual conference, Meta Connect, set for September.

The company has positioned itself as a leader in open-source AI, boasting hundreds of millions of downloads of its Llama models. Major firms, including Goldman Sachs, AT&T, and Accenture, are among those integrating Llama into their services.

However, reports suggest that Meta has been caught off guard by the rapid rise of Chinese AI company DeepSeek, whose latest models may challenge Llama’s dominance. Meta has reportedly launched internal efforts to study DeepSeek’s approach to efficiency and cost reduction.

With a planned $80 billion investment in AI this year, Meta is pushing ahead with new Llama models that could include reasoning, multimodal, and autonomous capabilities. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has expressed confidence in Llama’s potential to become the most widely used AI model.

However, Meta is also facing legal and regulatory challenges, including lawsuits over alleged copyright violations and privacy concerns in the European Union that have delayed some AI launches.

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Judge allows Musk’s DOGE to keep accessing government data

A US federal judge has denied a request to temporarily block Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing data from seven federal agencies or making further workforce cuts. The lawsuit, brought by 14 Democratic attorneys general, argued that DOGE was overstepping its authority by reshaping agencies and obtaining vast amounts of government information. However, Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled that the plaintiffs failed to prove immediate harm, allowing DOGE to continue operations.

Despite this decision, the judge acknowledged serious constitutional concerns regarding Musk’s authority. She noted that Musk had not been nominated by the US President Trump or confirmed by the Senate, raising potential violations of the Appointments Clause. In her ruling, Chutkan also criticised the Trump administration’s legal arguments, suggesting inconsistencies in its justification for DOGE’s powers.

While the restraining order was denied, the states can still pursue their case, potentially seeking a preliminary injunction to halt DOGE’s access to federal data. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez vowed to continue the legal fight, accusing Musk of destabilising government functions and acting without proper oversight. The battle over DOGE’s legitimacy is expected to intensify in the coming months.

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Young people rely on social media for political news

A growing number of young Europeans are turning to social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube as their primary news source, surpassing traditional outlets such as TV and print media. According to the latest European Parliament Youth Survey, 42% of people aged 16 to 30 rely on social media for news about politics and social issues. This shift highlights changing preferences toward fast-paced, accessible content but also raises concerns about the growing risk of disinformation among younger generations.

Younger users, especially those aged 16 to 18, are more likely to trust platforms like TikTok and Instagram, while those aged 25 to 30 tend to rely more on Facebook, online press, and radio for their news. However, the rise of social media as a news source has also led to increased exposure to fake news. A report from the Reuters Institute revealed that 27% of TikTok users struggle to identify misleading content, while Instagram has faced criticism for relaxing its fact-checking systems.

Despite being aware of the risks, young Europeans continue to engage with social media for news. A significant 76% of respondents reported encountering fake news in the past week, yet platforms like Instagram remain the most popular news sources. This trend is impacting trust in political institutions, with many young people expressing scepticism toward the EU and skipping elections due to a lack of information.

The reliance on social media for news has shifted political discourse, as fake news and AI-generated content have been used to manipulate public opinion. The constant exposure to sensationalised false information is also having psychological effects, increasing anxiety and confusion among young people and pushing some to avoid news altogether.

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Russia fines Google over YouTube content on surrendering soldiers

A Russian court has fined Google 3.8 million roubles (£32,600) for hosting YouTube videos that allegedly instructed Russian soldiers on how to surrender. The ruling is part of Moscow’s ongoing crackdown on content it deems illegal, particularly regarding the war in Ukraine. Google has not yet responded to the decision.

Authorities in Russia have frequently ordered foreign tech companies to remove content they claim spreads misinformation. Critics argue that the government is deliberately slowing YouTube‘s download speeds to limit access to material critical of President Vladimir Putin. Moscow denies the accusation, blaming Google for failing to upgrade its infrastructure.

President Putin has previously accused Google of being used by Washington to serve political interests. The latest fine is one of many imposed on the company as part of Russia’s broader control over digital platforms.

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