Digital standards

UK refuses to include Online Safety Act in US trade talks

The UK government has ruled out watering down the Online Safety Act as part of any trade negotiations with the US, despite pressure from American tech giants.

Speaking to MPs on the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, Baroness Jones of Whitchurch, the parliamentary under-secretary for online safety, stated unequivocally that the legislation was ‘not up for negotiation’.

‘There have been clear instructions from the Prime Minister,’ she said. ‘The Online Safety Act is not part of the trade deal discussions. It’s a piece of legislation — it can’t just be negotiated away.’

Reports had suggested that President Donald Trump’s administration might seek to make loosening the UK’s online safety rules a condition of a post-Brexit trade agreement, following lobbying from large US-based technology firms.

However, Baroness Jones said the legislation was well into its implementation phase and that ministers were ‘happy to reassure everybody’ that the government is sticking to it.

The Online Safety Act will require tech platforms that host user-generated content, such as social media firms, to take active steps to protect users — especially children — from harmful and illegal content.

Non-compliant companies may face fines of up to £18 million or 10% of global turnover, whichever is greater. In extreme cases, platforms could be blocked from operating in the UK.

Mark Bunting, a representative of Ofcom, which is overseeing enforcement of the new rules, said the regulator would have taken action had the legislation been in force during last summer’s riots in Southport, which were exacerbated by online misinformation.

His comments contrasted with tech firms including Meta, TikTok and X, which claimed in earlier hearings that little would have changed under the new rules.

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OpenAI’s CEO Altman confirms rollback of GPT-4o after criticism

OpenAI has reversed a recent update to its GPT-4o model after users complained it had become overly flattering and blindly agreeable. The behaviour, widely mocked online, saw ChatGPT praising dangerous or clearly misguided user ideas, leading to concerns over the model’s reliability and integrity.

The change had been part of a broader attempt to make GPT-4o’s default personality feel more ‘intuitive and effective’. However, OpenAI admitted the update relied too heavily on short-term user feedback and failed to consider how interactions evolve over time.

In a blog post published Tuesday, OpenAI said the model began producing responses that were ‘overly supportive but disingenuous’. The company acknowledged that sycophantic interactions could feel ‘uncomfortable, unsettling, and cause distress’.

Following CEO Sam Altman’s weekend announcement of an impending rollback, OpenAI confirmed that the previous, more balanced version of GPT-4o had been reinstated.

It also outlined steps to avoid similar problems in future, including refining model training, revising system prompts, and expanding safety guardrails to improve honesty and transparency.

Further changes in development include real-time feedback mechanisms and allowing users to choose between multiple ChatGPT personalities. OpenAI says it aims to incorporate more diverse cultural perspectives and give users greater control over the assistant’s behaviour.

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Big Tech accused of undue influence over EU AI Code

The European Commission is facing growing criticism after a joint investigation revealed that Big Tech companies had disproportionate influence over the drafting of the EU’s Code of Practice on General Purpose AI.

The report, published by Corporate Europe Observatory and LobbyControl, claims firms such as Google, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, and OpenAI were granted privileged access to shaping the voluntary code, which aims to help companies comply with the upcoming AI Act.

While 13 Commission-appointed experts led the process and over 1,000 participants were involved in feedback workshops, civil society groups and smaller stakeholders were largely side-lined.

Their input was often limited to reacting through emojis on an online platform instead of engaging in meaningful dialogue, the report found.

The US government also waded into the debate, sending a letter to the Commission opposing the Code. The Trump administration argued the EU’s digital regulations would stifle innovation.

Critics meanwhile say the EU’s current approach opens the door to Big Tech lobbying, potentially weakening the Code’s effectiveness just as it nears finalisation.

Although the Code was due in early May, it is now expected by June or July, just before new rules on general-purpose AI tools come into force in August.

The Commission has yet to confirm the revised timeline.

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Trump eases auto tariffs amid industry concerns

President Donald Trump has signed executive orders easing his controversial 25% tariffs on automobiles and parts, aiming to relieve pressure on carmakers struggling with rising costs.

The move follows warnings from manufacturers and analysts that the tariffs could inflate prices, harm domestic production and slow the industry’s recovery. Trump framed the measure as a temporary bridge, allowing automakers time to shift more manufacturing into the US instead of facing harsh penalties.

The changes include a short-term rebate system tied to the proportion of foreign parts used in vehicles assembled domestically. Automakers have been told they’ll have two years of reduced levies, giving them time to reconfigure supply chains and invest in new US-based facilities.

Officials claim announcements on job creation and plant expansion are expected soon, with companies like Stellantis, Ford, and GM praising the policy shift as a step toward competitiveness rather than an immediate fix.

However, some experts warn that the industry needs stability instead of unpredictable policy swings. They argue that relocating production takes years and billions in investment, not mere months.

With vehicle prices already high and supply chains stretched, economists question whether the tariff adjustments can offset the broader economic risks posed by Trump’s wider trade strategy.

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4chan returns after major cyberattack

After suffering what it called a ‘catastrophic’ cyberattack earlier this month, controversial image board 4chan has returned online, admitting its systems were breached through outdated software.

The attacker, reportedly using a UK-based IP address, gained entry by uploading a malicious PDF, allowing access to 4chan’s database and administrative dashboard. The intruder exfiltrated source code and sensitive data before vandalising the site, which led to its temporary shutdown on 14 April.

Although 4chan avoided directly naming the software vulnerability, it indirectly confirmed suspicions that a severely outdated backend—possibly an old version of PHP—was at fault. The site confessed that slow progress in updating its infrastructure resulted from a chronic lack of funds and technical support.

It blamed years of financial instability on advertisers, payment processors, and providers pulling away under external pressure, leaving it dependent on second-hand hardware and a stretched, largely volunteer development team.

Despite purchasing new servers in mid-2024, the transition was slow and incomplete, meaning key services still ran on legacy equipment when the breach occurred. Following the attack, 4chan replaced the compromised server and implemented necessary software updates.

PDF uploads have been suspended, and the Flash board permanently closed due to the difficulty in preventing similar exploits through .swf files.

Now relying on volunteer tech workers to support its recovery efforts, the site insists it won’t be shut down. ‘4chan is back,’ it declared, claiming no other site could replace its unique community, despite long-standing criticism over its content and lax moderation.

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IBM commits billions to future US computing

IBM has unveiled a bold plan to invest $150 billion in the United States over the next five years. The move is designed to accelerate technological development while reinforcing IBM’s leading role in computing and AI.

A significant portion, over $30 billion, will support research and development, with a strong emphasis on manufacturing mainframes and quantum computers on American soil.

These efforts build on IBM’s legacy in the US, where it has long played a key role in advancing national infrastructure and innovation.

IBM highlighted the importance of its Poughkeepsie facility, which produces systems powering over 70% of global transaction value.

It also views quantum computing as a leap that could unlock solutions beyond today’s digital capabilities, bolstering economic growth, job creation, and national security.

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Gemini AI coming soon to smartwatches and cars

Google has revealed plans to expand its Gemini AI assistant to a wider range of Android-connected devices later in 2025.

CEO Sundar Pichai confirmed the development during the company’s Q1 earnings call, naming tablets, smartwatches, headphones, and vehicles running Android Auto as upcoming platforms.

Gemini will gradually replace Google Assistant, offering more natural, conversational interactions and potentially new features like real-time responses through ‘Gemini Live’. Though a detailed rollout schedule remains undisclosed, more information is expected at Google I/O 2025 next month.

Evidence of Gemini’s AI integration has already surfaced in Wear OS and Android Auto updates, suggesting enhanced voice control and contextual features.

It remains unclear whether the assistant’s processing will be cloud-based or supported locally through connected Android devices.

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UAE launches academy to lead in AI innovation

The UAE has announced the launch of its AI Academy, aiming to strengthen the country’s position in AI innovation both regionally and globally.

Developed in partnership with the Polynom Group and the Abu Dhabi School of Management, it is designed to foster a skilled workforce in AI and programming.

It will offer short courses in multiple languages, covering AI fundamentals, national strategies, generative tools, and executive-level applications.

A flagship offering is the specialised Chief AI Officer (CAIO) Programme, tailored for leadership roles across sectors.

NVIDIA’s technologies will be integrated into select courses, enhancing the UAE academy’s technical edge and helping drive the development of AI capabilities throughout the region.

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EU criticised for secretive security AI plans

A new report by Statewatch has revealed that the European Union is quietly laying the groundwork for the widespread use of experimental AI technologies in policing, border control, and criminal justice.

The report warns that these developments pose serious threats to transparency, accountability, and fundamental rights.

Despite the adoption of the EU AI Act in 2024, broad exemptions allow law enforcement and migration agencies to bypass safeguards, including a full exemption for certain high-risk systems until 2031.

Institutions like Europol and eu-LISA are involved in building technical infrastructure for security-focused AI, often without public knowledge or oversight.

The study also highlights how secretive working groups, such as the European Clearing Board, have influenced legislation to favour police interests.

Critics argue that these moves risk entrenching discrimination and reducing democratic control, especially at a time of rising authoritarian influence within EU institutions.

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TikTok moves into Japanese E-commerce

Chinese social media giant TikTok is preparing to launch its online shopping service in Japan within the coming months, according to a report by the Nikkei newspaper.

The company plans to begin recruiting sellers soon for TikTok Shop, its e-commerce arm that has already made waves in other regions through livestream-based sales of a wide range of products, from footwear to cosmetics.

The move is part of TikTok’s broader strategy to grow internationally, especially while its future in the US remains uncertain. The platform recently expanded into France, Germany and Italy, pushing further into the European market instead of relying solely on existing user bases.

TikTok Shop is known for offering attractive discounts and allowing users to earn commissions by promoting items in live broadcasts.

In contrast, TikTok’s operations in the US continue to face political and regulatory hurdles. A law passed in 2024 requires ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based parent company, to sell off its US assets by January 19.

Although President Donald Trump indicated a deal might still happen, he also suggested any agreement could be delayed due to shifting dynamics in US-China trade relations.

Despite not immediately responding to media requests for comment, TikTok seems determined to strengthen its foothold in international markets.

By entering Japan’s e-commerce space, the company signals it intends to expand through business innovation and regional diversification instead of waiting for political clarity in the United States.

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