Across China, artificial intelligence-powered ‘smart pets’ are becoming a popular solution for emotional relief, particularly among younger generations. These devices, such as the BooBoo robot produced by Hangzhou Genmoor Technology, offer companionship through lifelike interactions. Nineteen-year-old Zhang Yachun, for example, says her AI pet, Aluo, has helped her cope with anxiety and feelings of isolation.
The market for ‘social robots’ is rapidly growing, with estimates projecting a sevenfold increase to $42.5 billion globally by 2033. While initially designed for children, these AI companions are increasingly appealing to adults and families. Some view the robots as tools to supplement limited time with children, though sceptics note the lack of emotional depth compared to real pets.
Experts attribute the rise in AI pets to societal changes, including China‘s one-child policy, economic pressures, and evolving family dynamics. These robots, which can mimic behaviours and provide emotional stimulation, serve as an outlet for individuals who feel disconnected. For Zhang, Aluo has also fostered better communication with her parents, highlighting the role AI companions can play in bridging gaps in human relationships.
The Japanese government has launched a new initiative, “Digital Positive Action,” to tackle the spread of online disinformation. The project, spearheaded by the communications ministry, brings together 19 firms and organisations, including Google, NTT Docomo, Meta, and the operator of Japan’s messaging app Line. The collaboration will focus on creating a dedicated website and educational materials to counter false information.
The initiative seeks to address how disinformation is often amplified for profit through higher engagement and advertising revenue. By consulting with public and private sectors, the government aims to make credible information more accessible and equip users with tools to recognise and resist misleading content.
Parliamentary Vice Communications Minister Hideto Kawasaki emphasised the goal of fostering a safer digital environment, while Keio University professor Tatsuhiko Yamamoto highlighted the need to shift societal attitudes, discouraging the pursuit of attention at any cost. With tech giants on board, Japan hopes to lead the charge in curbing the harmful effects of disinformation online.
UK citizens will soon be able to carry essential documents, such as their passport, driving licence, and birth certificates, in a digital wallet on their smartphones. This plan was unveiled by Peter Kyle, the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, as part of a broader initiative to streamline interactions with government services. The digital wallet, set to launch in June, aims to simplify tasks like booking appointments and managing government communications.
Initially, the digital wallet will hold a driving licence and a veteran card, with plans to add other documents like student loans, vehicle tax, and benefits. The government is also working with the Home Office to include digital passports, although these will still exist alongside physical versions. The app will be linked to an individual’s ID and could be used for various tasks, such as sharing certification or claiming welfare discounts.
Security and privacy concerns have been addressed, with recovery systems in place for lost phones and strong data protection measures. Kyle emphasised that the app complies with current data laws and features like facial recognition would enhance security. He also reassured that while the system will be convenient for smartphone users, efforts will be made to ensure those without internet access aren’t left behind.
The technology, developed in the six months since Labour took power, is part of a push to modernise government services. Kyle believes the new digital approach will help create a more efficient and user-friendly relationship between citizens and the state, transforming the public service experience.
Instagram has been facing backlash after a technical issue caused search results for the terms ‘Democrat’ and ‘Democrats’ to be hidden. Users searching for these terms have encountered a message stating that the results may contain sensitive content. In contrast, hashtags such as ‘Republican’ continue to display posts without such issues. Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has stated that the problem is not politically motivated, as it has also affected other political hashtags.
Social media experts have warned that the glitch could harm Meta’s reputation, particularly in a highly partisan political climate. Matt Navarra, a social media consultant, described the situation as embarrassing for Instagram, suggesting it could fuel conspiracy theories and further divisions among users. Meta has confirmed it is working urgently to fix the issue.
This incident comes at a time of increased scrutiny over Meta’s handling of political content on its platforms. The company has faced criticism from various sides of the political spectrum, and its recent changes to content moderation policies have attracted further attention.
Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is once again under fire by the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) over its ad-free subscription service. Introduced in 2023, the fee-based option offered European users the ability to opt out of personalised ads, with a subsequent price cut of 40% implemented later that year. However, BEUC claims these changes are merely superficial and fail to address deeper concerns about fairness and compliance with EU consumer and privacy laws.
BEUC’s Director General, Agustin Reyna, criticised Meta for not providing users with a fair choice, alleging that the company still pressures users into accepting its behavioural advertising system. Reyna called on consumer protection authorities and the European Commission to investigate Meta’s practices urgently, emphasising the need for decisive action to safeguard users’ rights. The consumer group also accused Meta of misleading practices, unclear terms, and failing to minimise data collection while restricting services for users who decline data processing.
In response, a Meta spokesperson defended the company’s approach, arguing that its November 2023 updates go beyond EU regulatory requirements. Despite these assurances, EU antitrust regulators have raised concerns, accusing Meta of breaching the Digital Markets Act. They claim the ad-free service forces users into a binary choice, sparking broader concerns about how the tech giant balances profit with consumer protection.
As pressure mounts, Meta faces growing scrutiny over its compliance with EU laws, with regulators weighing potential measures to address BEUC’s allegations and ensure fair treatment for European users.
The UK government has introduced a new AI assistant named ‘Humphrey,’ inspired by the scheming character Sir Humphrey Appleby from the sitcom Yes, Minister. This innovative suite of digital tools aims to modernise civil service workflows, reduce costs, and simplify tasks such as summarising public feedback and searching parliamentary records.
The initiative forms part of a broader overhaul of government digital services, announced by Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle. Central to this plan are two new apps for secure document storage, including digital driving licences. The Humphrey AI tools, particularly Consult and Parlex, are designed to replace costly external consultants and assist policymakers in navigating parliamentary debates.
Despite the programme’s ambitions, the choice of name has sparked debate. Critics like Tim Flagg from UKAI argue that the association with Sir Humphrey’s ‘devious and controlling’ persona might undermine trust in the technology. However, Flagg also expressed optimism about the government’s technical capabilities, calling the project a positive step towards embracing AI.
The UK government insists that these tools will foster efficiency and collaboration, with improved data sharing between departments being another key feature of the initiative. By cutting consultancy costs and increasing transparency, officials hope Humphrey will become a symbol of progress, rather than parody.
The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) has pledged up to €800 million to support the expansion of Germany’s 5G infrastructure, part of an effort to reduce reliance on Chinese technology. The project, which includes contributions from private banks across Europe and Japan, aims to build a secure and advanced telecom system for Germany.
The funding will support United Internet AG, a German telecom company, in adopting Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) technology. This system allows seamless integration of equipment from multiple suppliers, reducing the risks of over-dependence on a single provider. A significant portion of the software involved is developed by Rakuten Group Inc., a Japanese tech firm.
Germany has relied heavily on Chinese manufacturers for 5G infrastructure, with 59% of its network sourced from Huawei and ZTE in 2022. This new initiative reflects Germany’s ambition to phase out Chinese components by 2029 and strengthen national security. JBIC’s €300 million contribution represents the largest share of the funding, ensuring stability and mitigating risks for the ambitious expansion.
As part of a broader collaboration, financial institutions from France, Britain, and Japan are also participating in the loans. Beyond enhancing Germany’s telecom security, the project is expected to benefit Japanese firms operating in the country by offering a trusted platform for handling sensitive data.
A new report from the European Court of Auditors (ECA) highlights progress in tackling unjustified geo-blocking in the EU but calls for stronger enforcement and expanded regulations. Geo-blocking, which restricts online access to goods and services based on nationality or location, was targeted by a 2018 regulation aimed at ensuring fairer treatment in the EU Single Market. However, the ECA found that inconsistent enforcement has left many consumers unprotected.
The report reveals significant disparities in penalties for non-compliance, ranging from minor fines of €26 in some countries to €5 million or even criminal liability in others. These gaps, combined with limited awareness among consumers and traders about available support, have undermined the regulation’s effectiveness. Key exemptions for sectors like audiovisual services—such as streaming platforms and TV distribution—are also causing frustration, with calls to broaden the regulation’s scope during its 2025 review.
Ildikó Gáll-Pelcz, the ECA member responsible for the audit, warned that geo-blocking continues to restrict consumer choices and fuel dissatisfaction. In response, the European Commission has welcomed the findings, signalling potential reforms, including stricter enforcement mechanisms and exploring ways to address challenges tied to copyright practices. The Commission has committed to factoring the report into its upcoming evaluation of the regulation.
Major tech companies, including Meta’s Facebook, Elon Musk’s X, YouTube, and TikTok, have committed to tackling online hate speech through a revised code of conduct now linked to the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA). Announced Monday by the European Commission, the updated agreement also includes platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitch, expanding the coalition originally formed in 2016. The move reinforces the EU’s stance against illegal hate speech, both online and offline, according to EU tech commissioner Henna Virkkunen.
Under the revised code, platforms must allow not-for-profit organisations or public entities to monitor how they handle hate speech reports and ensure at least 66% of flagged cases are reviewed within 24 hours. Companies have also pledged to use automated tools to detect and reduce hateful content while disclosing how recommendation algorithms influence the spread of such material.
Additionally, participating platforms will provide detailed, country-specific data on hate speech incidents categorised by factors like race, religion, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Compliance with these measures will play a critical role in regulators’ enforcement of the DSA, a cornerstone of the EU’s strategy to combat illegal and harmful content online.
The European Commission has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) against China, accusing the country of ‘unfair and illegal’ practices regarding worldwide royalty rates for European standard essential patents (SEPs). According to the Commission, China has empowered its courts to set global royalty rates for the EU companies, particularly in the telecoms sector, without the consent of the patent holders.
The case focuses on SEPs, which are crucial for technologies like 5G, used in mobile phones. European companies such as Nokia and Ericsson hold many of these patents. The Commission claims that China’s actions force European companies to reduce their royalty rates globally, providing Chinese manufacturers with unfairly low access to European technologies.
The European Union has requested consultations with China, marking the first step in WTO dispute resolution. If a resolution is not reached within 60 days, the EU can request the formation of an adjudicating panel, which typically takes about a year to issue a final report. This case is linked to a previous EU dispute at the WTO concerning China’s anti-suit injunctions, which restrict telecom patent holders’ ability to enforce intellectual property rights in courts outside China.
