Two researchers have been awarded the Turing Award for pioneering work in quantum cryptography. Their research laid the foundations for a new form of secure communication based on quantum physics.
The method, developed in the 1980s, enables encryption keys that cannot be copied without detection. Any attempt to intercept the data alters its physical properties, revealing interference.
Experts say the approach could become vital as quantum computing advances. Traditional encryption methods may become vulnerable as computing power increases.
The award highlights the growing importance of secure data transmission in a digital world. Researchers believe quantum cryptography could play a central role in encrypting and protecting future communications.
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A Berlin court has ruled that Meta unlawfully processed personal data through its Facebook platform, including information belonging to non-users. Judges found the ‘Find Friends’ feature lacked a valid legal basis for handling third-party data.
The court determined that Meta acted as a data controller and could not rely on consent, contract or legitimate interests to justify the processing. Non-users had no reasonable expectation that their data would be collected or stored.
The German judges also ruled that personalised advertising based on platform data breached GDPR rules. The processing was not considered necessary for providing a social media service and lacked a lawful basis.
However, the court accepted that sensitive personal data entered by users could be processed with explicit consent under the GDPR. The ruling is under appeal and may shape future enforcement of the EU data protection law.
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A committee within the European Parliament has approved a proposal to simplify aspects of AI regulation, marking a step forward in efforts to refine the implementation of the AI Act.
An initiative that seeks to adjust certain requirements to support clearer compliance, particularly for industry stakeholders.
The proposal focuses on technical and procedural elements linked to how AI rules are applied in practice.
Lawmakers aim to ensure that regulatory obligations remain proportionate while maintaining existing safeguards. Part of the discussion includes how specific categories of AI systems should be addressed within the broader framework.
Some elements of the proposal may require further discussion in upcoming negotiations with the Council of the European Union. Areas under consideration include the treatment of sensitive AI applications and the balance between regulatory clarity and enforcement effectiveness.
The development reflects ongoing efforts within the EU to refine its approach to AI governance. As discussions continue, policymakers are expected to assess how adjustments can support innovation while maintaining consistency with existing legal principles.
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Meta has stated that the update allows the platform to monitor messages while maintaining standard privacy safeguards.
End-to-end encryption had been the default for several messaging platforms, including WhatsApp, Messenger, and other Meta services.
The company first signalled its intent to expand encryption across Instagram and Messenger in 2019, implementing it in 2023. The plan was met with objections from organisations such as the Internet Watch Foundation and the Virtual Global Taskforce.
These groups highlighted potential risks in preventing the timely detection of harmful content, particularly child sexual abuse material.
Meta’s shift reflects a compromise between privacy, platform security, and online child safety. The company has not provided further details on changes to encryption policies beyond Instagram’s private messaging service.
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Meta will shut down Horizon Worlds on its Quest headsets, ending its flagship virtual reality (VR) platform and marking a clear retreat from its metaverse ambitions. The app will be removed from the Quest store on 31 March and discontinued in VR by 15 June, continuing only as a mobile service.
Horizon Worlds, launched in 2021, was central to Meta’s rebranding from Facebook and its vision of a fully immersive virtual environment. Despite billions in investment and high-profile partnerships, the platform failed to attract a large user base and struggled with design limitations and weak engagement.
Reality Labs, the division behind the metaverse push, has accumulated nearly $80 billion in losses since 2020, including more than $6 billion in a single quarter. Recent layoffs affecting around 10 percent of the VR workforce, along with the shutdown of related projects, underscore a broader pullback.
Competition and shifting priorities have accelerated the decline. Rival platforms such as VRChat maintained stronger communities, while Meta increasingly redirected resources toward AI and hardware, including its Ray-Ban smart glasses.
Although Meta says it remains committed to VR, the closure of Horizon Worlds signals a strategic reset. The company is repositioning its future around AI-driven products, marking a decisive shift away from its earlier metaverse vision.
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Debate over proposed UK digital market rules is intensifying, with Google outlining its position and emphasising the need to balance competition with user experience and platform integrity. The company said it supports the objectives of the Competition and Markets Authority but warned that some proposals could introduce risks for users.
Google argued that maintaining fair and relevant search results remains a priority, stating that its ranking systems are designed to prioritise quality rather than favour its own services. It cautioned that certain third-party proposals could expose its systems to manipulation, potentially weakening protections against spam and reducing the pace of product improvements.
The company also addressed user choice on Android devices, noting that existing options already allow users to select preferred services. It suggested that adding frequent mandatory choice screens could disrupt user experience, proposing instead a permanent settings-based option to change defaults without repeated prompts.
Regarding publisher relations, Google highlighted efforts to increase control over how content is used, particularly with generative AI features such as AI Overviews. It said new tools are being developed to allow publishers to opt out of specific AI functionalities while maintaining visibility in search results.
Google said it would continue engaging with UK regulators to shape rules that support users, publishers, and businesses, while ensuring that innovation and service quality are not compromised.
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The European Union has been unable to reach an agreement on extending temporary rules that allow online platforms to detect child sexual abuse material, leaving the current framework set to expire in April.
Discussions between the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union concluded without reaching a consensus on how to proceed with such measures.
The existing rules permit technology companies to voluntarily scan their services for harmful content, supporting efforts to identify and remove illegal material.
The European Commission had proposed a temporary extension while negotiations continue on a permanent framework under the Child Sexual Abuse Regulation, but differing views on scope and safeguards prevented agreement.
Stakeholders across sectors have highlighted the importance of maintaining effective tools to address online harms, while also emphasising the need to respect fundamental rights.
Previous periods of legal uncertainty have shown that detection capabilities may be affected when such frameworks are absent, although assessments of effectiveness remain subject to ongoing debate.
At the same time, concerns have been raised regarding the broader implications of monitoring digital communications. Some perspectives stress that any approach should carefully consider privacy protections, particularly in relation to secure and encrypted services.
Attention now turns to ongoing negotiations on a long-term regulatory solution.
The outcome will shape how the EU approaches the challenge of addressing harmful online content while safeguarding rights and ensuring proportional and transparent enforcement.
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UAE operator e& (formerly Etisalat) has partnered with Khalifa University to outline a new vision for AI-native 6G networks. Their joint whitepaper presents a framework in which intelligence is embedded at the core of the network architecture rather than added as a feature.
The proposal introduces a dedicated AI plane alongside existing network layers to enable continuous learning and automation. This approach supports sensing, reasoning and autonomous decision-making across radio, core and edge systems.
The framework includes distributed AI agents, digital twin integration and closed-loop automation models. It is designed to support multi-vendor environments while enabling scalable and coordinated intelligence across networks.
Five core pillars underpin the model, including AI frameworks, cloud-edge computing and sustainability-focused design. Together, these elements position 6G as a cognitive infrastructure capable of predictive optimisation and advanced service delivery.
The whitepaper also defines measurable performance indicators such as latency, learning accuracy and energy efficiency. The initiative aims to contribute to global standards while strengthening the UAE’s role in shaping future telecom systems.
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Armenia’s recent technology announcements are helping to form a clearer national AI strategy with stronger coordination. A memorandum with the US on semiconductors and AI now appears to be moving beyond symbolic commitment into action.
Momentum has accelerated with plans to expand a large-scale AI factory backed by significant investment. The project is estimated at around $4 billion and includes tens of thousands of advanced GPUs to support large-scale development.
The initiative is already entering construction, marking a shift from concept to execution in a short timeframe. Officials have described a broader vision of building a network of AI factories across the country.
Energy planning is becoming central, with discussions around deploying a small modular nuclear reactor to meet demand. Stable and scalable power is considered essential for sustaining long-term AI infrastructure growth.
Efforts are also targeting the wider ecosystem through a Virtual AI Institute and planned GPU access for startups. These steps aim to strengthen research capacity and ensure local participation in the country’s AI expansion.
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Britain is opening access to its national AI Research Resource to support domestic AI development. Startups and spinouts can now use supercomputers previously reserved for frontier research.
The AIRR combines infrastructure from government, universities and leading technology firms. It provides the computing power needed to train models and run complex simulations.
Access will be worth around £20 million per year for participating companies. Officials say reducing compute barriers will help startups move faster from prototype to product.
The government’s Sovereign AI Unit, backed by up to £500 million, will also support long-term growth. The programme targets areas including advanced models, scientific discovery and trustworthy AI systems.
Concerns remain over regulatory alignment with the EU’s stricter AI rules. Tensions could shape whether the UK maintains a more flexible environment for innovation.
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